Scaloni and a double tranquillity: the three points and a formula that could be that of happiness

After wrong move against Saudi Arabia and the fear of an express farewell, Mexico became, perhaps, the starting point of the Argentine national team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Is that not only has he taken a victory that allows him to arrive in a better position and with the possibility of winning the group against Poland on Wednesday, but Lionel Scalonion the fly and perhaps a prisoner of necessity, he seems to have found a formation that gives him guarantees and much more intensity, the one that was lacking in the fateful debut and also in the first half of this Saturday.

Fear and excessive respect were the common denominators in the initial phase of Lusail. Argentina has not changed its game plan, but has taken precautions. Is that the income of Guido Rodrígueza more positional midfielder than Leandro Paredesit allowed him to protect himself a little better in the defensive phase. But it was also a counterweight.

As happened in the debut against Saudi Arabia, Scaloni’s team lacked the spark to come out quickly. Still “stupid” possession between the defenders and Rodríguez, with no speed to focus on transitions or to change pace. It was clear in the numbers: Argentina had far more ball possession (59%) than Mexico (29%), but they were unlikely to do badly. With Lionel Messi Once again static, the team turns the game around for the sector of Gonzalo Montiel Y angel of marybut it was difficult for him to delve right.

And this Rodrigo De Paul continued on the same line as five days ago. Inconstant, without explosions, with little mobility, he lost five balls in the first half, which those led by Gerardo Martino failed to transform into risky situations.

On the other side, Alexis MacAllister He seemed stuck and more concerned with covering up the rises of Kevin Álvarez and Héctor Moreno than with becoming another cog in the offensive game. However, when the Brighton player let himself go, the best moments of the national team arrived. Even when he rotated positions with Di María in attack, which allowed him to generate surprises and create spaces that Messi was unable to exploit.

An example of how badly Argentina attacked was the fact that in the first 45 minutes they barely kicked once on goal. It was with a very cornered free kick that Messi executed and forced Ochoa to punch back. Only towards the end of the stage were the best passes of the game seen, even without the necessary depth to disturb Mexico’s defence, clearly dedicated to waiting to quickly get out of versus with Hirving Lozano and Alexis Vega.

The trend continued in the second half of the year. Argentina moved the ball very slowly. Mexico released the ball to Guido Rodríguez and he didn’t care. Perhaps for this reason Scaloni quickly moved the bench and sent Enzo Fernández onto the field with the idea of ​​gaining more deployment in midfield.

But Argentina was still predictable. But with a difference. Mexico had arrived too late and let the national team arrive, which also continued with few ideas. It depended on Messi’s inspiration. And not much else. This is why the DT put his hand back: Montiel, who had been booked, and Lautaro, very displaced, came out to make room for Molina and Álvarez.

Immediately Messi rubs the lamp and the relief goal arrives with a powerful sweeping shot that gave Ochoa no chance. And the game has changed too. Because Mexico was forced out of its waiting position and rearmed its ranks to seek a draw. The “10”, which has reached its eighth cry in his 21st match at the World Cup -he equaled Maradona twice -goals and appearances- and Stábile in conquests-, he was much more connected in the second half. And that, as we know, is lethal for anyone who comes across it.

Scaloni, quick of reflexes, didn’t want to give his rival time to settle in his new position with the signing of Raúl Jiménez and Roberto Alvarado. He brought out Di María, who once again alternated between good and bad, and Mac Allister to give clues to cute Romero and Exequiel Palacios.

The variants made it necessary to rearrange the parts. It started with Acuña as a midfielder and lychee Martínez as a winger, but immediately changed to a five-man line to contain the advances of the Mexicans a little better. He also reformulated the midfielder with three mixed midfielders (De Paul, Enzo and Palacios), which gave him more intensity and ability to react to come out quickly. Another kind of possession. Deeper. The most intelligent.

Perhaps a prisoner of obligations, Scaloni quickly found a team that was much more agile than the one he showed against Saudi Arabia and in the first half against Mexico.

If something was missing to understand that that was the issue, when the adversary seemed resigned, Enzo Fernández appeared, with a collection targetto seal a victory that gives a double peace of mind: for the three points and for a formula that can be that of happiness.

Doha, Qatar. Special delivery.