Enzo Fernández and Nico Paz score for Argentina in 2-1 win vs. Mauritania

1. First half = okayish
   Second half= disappointing, few hungry players… less intensity… slow tempo and goal conceded against low ranked side.

   I guess Zambia is more physical compared to Mauritania and will be more open game. Hope to see young player performing. Lack of playing time for youngsters will hurt later. World Cup 26 – support 100% but it will hard for us if we play like today.

2. The Scaloni era is officially over! Poor team selection, favoritism towards certain players and light weight friendly opponents game after game. As I previously stated this team has not improved since the 2022 WC, and let’s not pretend like during the 2022 WC Argentina was playing super football. The team struggled in the group stage, needed individual brilliance against Mexico from Messi in order to advance, was on the back foot against Australia in the round of 16 and was fortunate to win against the Netherlands. The Croatia game was decent, the pk changed everything in Argentina’s favor. The final against France was all Di Maria, the moment he got subbed off the field for Acuna ( imagine this guy is still in contention for 2026), the team regressed.

   Argentina should have had a new coach with a different set up, Scaloni should have gone out on a high after Copa 2025. Tactically he is not really a great coach, things just happened to work in his favor most of the time. He took Di Maria off during the WC final which almost cost his team the game. Scaloni is a status quo type of coach, no new ideas, always relying on the same over the hill type players. A player picked up an injury, oh let’s call up a familiar individual who couldn’t make it in a slow league like Serie A (Lucas Martínez Quarta). How about Acuna who had to leave Spain because he couldn’t cut it anymore. What about Parades who had to leave Serie A because he couldn’t cut it anymore. What about DePaul who had to move to the MLS, the guy walks around in games like he is a giant among men playing against “peasant,’’ players who are not worthy to be in his presence. Lo Celso, the guy who never impressed in the majority of games but he seems to be everyone’s Riquelme, this is a strange one. And Scaloni favorite, Nico Gonzalez, this guy is always painful to watch, like he can barely impact a game. “But he works hard,’’ most professionals do this on a daily basis, it’s not a special skill set.

   Like I said, the likes of Otamendi, Depaul, Parades and Lo Celso were the originals of the 2019 Copa team. How are these guys still in contention in 2026 and likely starters at this year’s summer World Cup? This team is bound to fail especially given Messi will not be the same as he was at the 2022, 2018, 2014, 2010 and 2006 WC. That’s 5 World Cups under Messi’s belt, do people really expect Messi to be in the same physical shape as previous world cups? Not happening, and we are talking about a possible eight games here (unlikely). I doubt Messi will want to play a sub role in his last world cup, and if he starts the team will suffer physically on the pitch.

   To say Garnacho “is not even in contention” is the most vile thing a coach could have said to a player. The coach could have said; the player has a few more games with Chelsea, let’s see how it goes. Not saying right off the bat, ‘’Garnacho is not even being considered,’’ this statement was not well thought out. Imagine playing with Enzo Fernandez in training and in actual games but the coach doesn’t think Garna is worthy of being considered. All his team mates at Chelsea for the most part got called during the international break, yet Scaloni ignored Garnacho, this was so messed up, for real. Not saying Garnacho solves all Argentina problems but he becomes an option on the wings ( can play on both wings), add pace if needed in the knockout rounds if the games are dragged out in added minutes or extra time. Garnacho is 21 years old but he has over a 100 EPL caps plus European football caps. ‘’Garnacho is not even being considered,’’ sounds personal to me, like players on the team vetoed his inclusion. The guy (Garna) worked hard, trained hard yet not even being recognized. Like how is the new flavor of the month Mastantuono getting selected ahead of Garnacho? Like even Claudio Echeverri is better than this guy.

   Why is Alan Varela not even in contention? This whole selection is a circus on display.

   Every game at the next WC will be like what we saw against Mauritania, scrappy, missed passes, unforced errors, panicking as soon as the opponent starts to run at their goal.

   No disrespect to the MLS and local leagues but there is no way the likes of DePaul, Parades, Lo Celso, Acuna, Montiel etc. in 2026 can compete against national teams like France, Germany, Holland, Portugal, Spain, England, Norway etc. who has players in every position competing in the best competition across Europe. Not to mention the lower tier teams at the WC like Senegal, Croatia, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and a few more. Argentina in its current state is not winning against any of the major European teams. If Mauritania can just run through your defense and midfield with such ease then imagine all those competent European teams. Atletico Madrid and the MLS has way too much influence on this current team. Imagine Spain calling up Sergio Ramos who is playing in the Mexican league or Busquet and Alba when they were at Inter Miami. Favoritism will be the downfall of this team. So many players who should have been included since the conclusion of the 2025 Copa America. I already mentioned a few in a previous post. The obvious ones are Garnacho and Alan Varela.

   • OMG I can’t imagine someone saying this about a coach who delivers almost every single major tournament he has been in. He has and still is the best international coach of our generation and probably deserves a lot more respect. Understably performance has not been good in the recent friendly but give the man the flowers he deserves
     Copa champion 2021
     Finalissima 2022
     World cup 2022
     Copa champion 2024
     Conmebol 2026 wc qualifiers table topper

     What more did you want?

     And sorry to say Ganra does even come into conversation to be within 50 players for Argentina list. Soule deserves much more than him

     • I think you failing to see objectivity in his critism. Yes scaloni deserve praise, but he needs to maintain momentum, he needs to take bold and prudent decisions. What else do we want? Fans are worried this team will is in a freefall. Honestly can this squad with the likes of Acuna, Martinez Quarta, mastatuono, DePaul match likes of Portugal, Spain, France , Netherlands or even England. Even lower tier teams like Colombia, Uruguay, Morocco, Senegal can beat this team.
       What happened to Spain in 2014 can easily happen to this team. Talking of scaloni being best international coach he must march Carlos Bilardo achievement of guiding national team back to back finals. The attitude of these players they are untouchable no matter how badly they play, sums up what Tagliafico admitted of the players being arrogant.

3. It is really funny how Scaloni still clinging to Mastantuono. This kid doesn’t deserve to play for a Serie C team, let alone representing Argentina. He can’t drible past a SINGLE player, can’t hold onto the ball properly, can’t read the game, and he is not a fast runner. So, what is the point of having him in the squad? With what I have seen last night, Argentina will be very, very lucky to reach the 32 round. Austria and Algeria can beat this team easily, even Jordan can do what the Saudis did to Argentina. I have been watching football for 30 years and if my eyes tell me one thing it’s that the free fall has just started. Good luck!

4. 1)Mastantuno is not ready for wc.Calling him in this team is disrespectful to other player who deserves a call. Same for LMQ.
   2)LB position is serious concern. We don’t have any world class player in that position.

5. Favoritism will be the downfall of this team. Calling players like Acuna, Martinez Quarta, mastatuono who don’t deserve is a big crime. Reading comments from Argentina fans in x.com, scaloni has to make drastic and bold decisions. I reteriate players like Acuna , Martinez Quarta, mastatuono need to dropped out for good. I doubt this team is good enough to go past round of 16. Fans booing Claudio Tapia was the best thing that happened. It was a indication things are not heading in the right direction.

6. When we defeated Brazil by a big margin, we hit our peak. Then we started walking downhill. Now we’re basically free-falling with style.
   If this performance is a trailer, the group stage is going to be a short film — and we’re the comic relief. The second half? Less football, more Sunday evening park vibes. Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and co. looked like they were waiting for popcorn vendors to show up.
   Conceding to the team ranked 115th wasn’t even shocking — it felt inevitable. Our defence had all the structural integrity of wet tissue.
   And honestly, Lionel Scaloni should send a thank-you note to fate for cancelling the Finalissima. Because what was coming wasn’t a scoreline — it was a tsunami warning.

7. Mastantuono, De Paul, Paredes, Acuña, Montiel, López, Senesi, Quarta, and Giay are all mediocre players. They have no business being in the squad. If we take these players to the World Cup and start them, we won’t even make it to the knockout round. The players who are called up should be starters for their clubs. If not, opportunities should be given to other players who are performing well in Europe.

8. First off, I think we are all very disappointed with not only our performance, but the selection of our opponent and the selection of our starting team. With teams like France and Spain starting their best 11 against good competition to measure themselves for the World Cup; Argentina on the other hand has a lackluster opponent and seems to still be trying to judge players for our 26 man roster instead of solidifying or starting 11.
   But 1- let’s say that the plqying conditions were less than par with the heavy rain.
   2- we did start several second string players.
   3- we played down to our opponent rather than playing up to our potential.
   4- aspect a huge response against Zambia on Tuesday.
   5- mastantuono should not be on the team before a player like Garnacho; whose speed and attacking prowess down the sidelines alone should put him above Real Madrid’s youngster who can’t even put passes together or have any kind of chemistry with the rest of the team. My opinion
   6-Sensini is our 4 central back and let’s just hope otamendi, lisandro and Cuti don’t get in yellow car trouble.
   I could talk all night about an horrible performance but the last minutes scheduling of this rainy game in Buenos Aires instead of a finalissma in Qatar through the whole team off for sure.

9. Firstly we need a proper defensive Midfielders..like..varela,equi,barranchea or dominiguaz..

   Secondly argentina don’t need taglafico,depaul,mastantuno,montial or acuna in worldcup squard..
   Finaly we need fresh blood..

10. While it was only a friendly, red signals are loud & clearly visible. It is time Depaul, GLC(if unfit ) are sacrificed for fresh legs. Messi’s mojo is getting over & it will be a disaster if Scaloni is planning him as a full match player. Surprised Scaloni started Acuna. I would have wanted Rojas, Giay , Barco & Flaco to start. Only positive for me was Paz getting a chance to settle in. Again we shouldnt waste a spot on Mastantuno for this WC. It is too early for him .Senesi was not impressive & actually looks slow ( i remember Fazio when i see Senesi moving ). Licha’s fitness is going to be crucial for our defense. Hoping to see Barco, Flaco & the trial full backs have a full game vs Zambia.

    • Starting Acuna was a big insult.

11. What a pathetic performance against a 115th rank fifa side. I am sorry to be pessimistic or I don’t know if I am overreacting but I expected around 5 to 6 goals. Absolutely no chemistry and very few attractive offensive play. May be I should stop dreaming about back to back world cups. I saw Spain today France yesterday even Algeria today they seemed to have a lot better chemistry than us. Hope we deliver much better in our next match. Our wc group does look difficult to me now and coming in second can mean early end to the wc

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