Almost twenty-two years ago to the day, Argentina faced Belgium in the 1982 World Cup in Spain. Argentina had won the World Cup four years earlier and was heavy favorites against their Belgium counterpart. Argentina at the time was known as a one man team. They were led by a young 21 year old named Diego Maradona. Belgium decided to swarm Maradona every time he got the ball, and make his other Argentinean teammates beat them. They couldn’t, and Belgium went on to win the match 1-0.
Four years later, the two teams with almost identical starting lineups met again in the World Cup, this time in the semifinals. Belgium adopted a similar swarming strategy against Maradona, but reversed course in the second half because they were getting no opportunities on offense. Maradona made them pay by scoring a brace in the second half and Argentina beat Belgium 2-0.
Flash forward eighteen years later and the two sides meet again with a similar storyline going into Saturday’s match up in Brasilia. Argentina is again led by a one man wrecking crew in Lionel Messi who has scored or assisted on nearly every one of Albiceleste’s goals in the tournament thus far.
If you’re a fan of the beautiful game, this match is for you. There’s history, star power, and both teams play an exciting brand of soccer.
Argentina has struggled in their first four wins of the tournament, needing Messi to score or create in stoppage and extra time to salvage victory for his team. It took over 100 minutes in their last match against Switzerland before Messi delivered the assist to teammate Angel di Maria for the extra time goal.
Belgium has also been accused of underperforming in their first four wins of the World Cup so far, however not quite in the same light as Argentina. Belgium has been scoring late in matches to secure victories, and also needed extra time defeat the Americans 2-1 on Tuesday. The difference however, lies in that fact that Belgium has been an attacking force on offense and could have easily won all of their first four matches by lopsided scores. In their last match in group play, they defeated South Korea 1-0 with 10 men on the pitch for a majority of the game; An anomaly in modern soccer.
Against the United States on Tuesday, if not for a Herculean effort by Tim Howard’s World Cup record setting 16 saves, Belgium might have won that match 4 or 5 to nothing. Additionally, Belgium isn’t reliant on simply one scorer like Argentina. In fact, Belgium has had six different players score each of the team’s six goals in the World Cup.
Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard are the main strikers for Belgium. Lukaku had struggled in group play, so Belgium Coach Marc Wilmots brought him off the bench against team USA and it worked as he scored and had an assist in the first ten minutes of extra time.
As a soccer strategist, I’m interested to see the tactical strategy Coach Wilmots employs against Argentina. In their first four victories they have been the aggressor, they have created all the chances, dominated possession and posted lopsided shots on goal numbers in the process. Do they continue this attack minded strategy against an equally if not more dangerous attacking team in Argentina?
Or, does Wilmots employ a similar strategy to what Switzlerand did last Tuesday? Pack in the defense, suffocate Messi and wait for offensive opportunities on the counter attack.
Argentina’s defense has played well so far in the tournament, posting clean sheets against Iran and Switzerland in their last match. Their defense has looked shaky at times though especially against Nigeria when they surrendered two goals and needed a brace by Messi to secure the victory.
Whichever strategy Belgium employs, the outcome of the game will inevitably hinge on whether or not Belgium can contain Messi. Belgium star defenseman, Jan Vertonghen has no doubt they can:
“If we defend like we did in our previous matches we will stop him, Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain. I’m convinced of that.” he said.
Vertonghen missed the match against the United States with an injury, but will make his return against Argentina on Saturday. Captain, Vincent Kompany who has been limited with a groin injury feels fully fit and will start against Argentina. Only Mousa Dembele appears to be doubtful for Belgium with a thigh injury and Axel Witsel and Marouane Fellaini are expected to start together in the midfield in his absence. It will be interesting to see if Coach Wilmots starts Romelu Lukaku this game after his stunning performance against the U.S.
Argentina Coach Alejandro Sabella faces more difficult decisions than Belgium as he will be without the services of Marcos Rojo who picked up his second yellow card against Switzerland and is suspended for the match against Belgium. Additionally, Albiceleste’s offense will be limited as well as the previously mentioned Sergio Aguero will be unavailable for Argentina with an injury.
There’s little to no pressure on the Red Devils, as hardly anyone expected them to get this far let alone defeat Argentina. They’ve never made it to a World Cup final with their best ever finish in the tournament coming in 1986 when they finished 4th. Wilmots told his players this is their chance to rewrite Belgian history.
The game is set to kick off at 12:00 PM EST at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia. It can be seen on ABC and in Spanish on Univision. If you want to live stream the match, simply go to WatchESPN here and here for a live stream in Spanish.
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