On paper, a FIFA World Cup™-winning side should remain largely unchanged, unless it shows signs that the group of players is no longer the best. However, the reality is not so straightforward, considering the various roadblocks along the way. The passage of time — almost three years since Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup trophy at Lusail Stadium at Qatar 2022 — injuries, retirements (only one, Angel Di Maria) and new stars emerging usually lead to changes, a breath of fresh air and new approaches.
However, following matchday 17 of the South American qualifiers, which saw Argentina cruise to victory over Venezuela at the Estadio Mas Monumental, it became clear that Lionel Scaloni’s La Scaloneta are comfortable with things as they are.
On a special night for Messi in what could have been his last official match on Argentinian soil, the 3-0 win featured ten of the 11 starters who were part of the squad that won the World Cup in Qatar on 18 December 2022. The only new face was 18-year-old Franco Mastantuono, River Plate’s latest sensation, who has since joined Real Madrid.
The team, which leads the qualifiers by ten points over second-placed Brazil and qualified for the FIFA World Cup 26™ on matchday 14, demonstrates a sense of continuity that radiates organically and joyfully through their playing style. Scaloni’s team has delivered a masterclass performance in the qualifying campaign. They have had it all, from high-flying performances with no Messi (1–0 against Paraguay and 1–0 against Uruguay in Montevideo) to big wins (3–0 and 6–0 against Bolivia) and landmark results, completing the double over Brazil (1–0 at the Maracanã and 4–1 at home).
“It’s a real joy for us, after almost three years since the World Cup, to continue playing at this level and in the same style. It’s also great to see young players coming through and performing like this for us, so we’re extremely happy,” said Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes, who has been a regular starter in the run-up to the 2026 tournament after playing a bit part in the 2022 World Cup. To which he added: “I think that tonight, despite not having much space to play in the middle, we kept our cool, managed our positioning, and were always in control.”
The Argentinian national team relies on assembling technically-gifted players who understand each other better as time goes by in all facets of the game. The team may look ‘flawed’ at times, with their sideways passing and long spells of possession giving the impression that their only strength is in attack. However, their defensive approach is also honed to perfection, with every player pressing hard to win the ball back, closing down space and putting their opponents on the back foot.
With Alexis Mac Allister out due to injury and Enzo Fernandez suspended following his sending-off in the match against Colombia, Scaloni changed the formation from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1, with Rodrigo De Paul and Paredes in central midfield, Mastantuono and Thiago Almada playing out wide, Messi free to roam and Julian Alvarez buzzing around the opposition’s centre-backs.
Instead of the usual diamond formation, which often creates a numerical advantage in midfield, the team looked to attack more directly. The first-half display showed just that. Faster attacks and fewer short passes meant they lost the element of surprise and lacked balance in one-on-one situations. But, in the second half, they got back on track when Messi dropped deeper while Almada and Mastantuono came inside to join him through the middle.
“It was a special, historic night and one that everyone will remember for what it meant to see Leo play his last competitive match in Argentina, and perhaps Ota (Nicolas Otamendi) too. They have been a big part of our journey in the national team and both are top professionals. I’m really grateful to them and they deserve the best,” said Alvarez, who supplied Messi with a wonderful assist for the opening goal of the match.
While the squad list remained largely unchanged and the team’s playing style took root, Scaloni did try out some new faces throughout the campaign. Standards were set high, and staying on the team requires hard work. Players like Alejandro Garnacho and Facundo Buonanotte had their chances, but they are not in the regular squad these days. Scaloni has called up Mastantuono for the last two outings in the South American qualifiers against Venezuela and Ecuador and already given him a place in the starting line-up.
The Real Madrid attacking midfielder looked sharp, leading the charge and eager to link up with Messi. The substitutes bench included Giuliano Simeone, who has featured in several matches, even scoring against Brazil, and 20-year-old Nico Paz, who is making waves in Italian football with Como and has already been called up several times.
“It is a dream come true to play with Messi. I have spent my entire childhood watching his career,” Mastantuono said. “He’s my idol. It was a great feeling. I found out today that I was in the starting line-up and I was over the moon.”
Messi’s second goal looked simple. All he had to do was tap in a crisp assist from Almada. However, the move was much more complex than that. Several passes and moves led to Cristian Romero picking out an unmarked De Paul. After controlling the ball, he played a through ball to the new Atletico Madrid player, who found space in the box after a clever diagonal run. The coordination was flawless.
“I told Rodrigo at the time what a great goal it was. It was a fantastic move, but it doesn’t surprise me because this team is used to doing this and trying things like that,” Messi said after the match.
While Messi has won everything — two Copa América titles, the Finalissima and the World Cup — he seems to take more pleasure in the journey than the results. Seeing each other again and getting back together seems like the most enjoyable championship of all for these players. Scaloni’s team finds continuity on repeat.
