No-Frills Argentina Take Another Giant Step Towards World Cup Glory

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: July 5, 2014

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The current World Cup campaign for Argentina could not be more different from that which preceded it four years ago. In South Africa, the whole world was talking about Diego Maradona's antics on the side of the pitch, as well as a team with an almost kamikaze attitude to the game. 

The 2010 Albiceleste had one setting, attack at all costs. Like their coach, they lived, and eventually died by the sword. 

Fast forward to Brazil, and once more the team's mentality is reflected in the man giving directions from the bench. Coach Alejandro Sabella is not a personality easily picked up by the media. Not for him the wild accusations and affirmations, and the glare of the cameras. 



El Pachorra is a humble, timid, almost bumbling figure in the background of his side's progress. The team copies his actions. They have advanced to the semi-finals of the World Cup almost unnoticed by those outside Argentina, quietly racking up narrow victories that have not exactly set the pulse racing. 

But there is one more crucial difference. At this stage of the competition four years ago, Maradona's men were preparing their bags for the trip home after a devastating thrashing at the hands of Germany; but in 2014, Argentina have slowly but surely assured their place among the four best teams on the planet. 

An early volley by Gonzalo Higuain secured a 1-0 victory over Belgium on Saturday, according to the statistics. But the game represented much more than that. For the first time since 1990, the Albiceleste did not shirk the challenge of the last eight. 



Sabella's changes for the game were an almost unqualified success. Lucas Biglia entered in midfield for Fernando Gago, and proved a revelation with his marking and efficient passing. Javier Mascherano had the partner he needed in the engine room to nullify the dangerous Belgium before they could get moving. On ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

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