Argentina Football Formation

Lineup (4-4-1-1)

Sergio Romero · Ezequiel Garay · Martín Demichelis · Marcos Rojo · Pablo Zabaleta · Lucas Biglia · Javier Mascherano · Enzo Pérez · Ezequiel Lavezzi · Lionel Messi (c) · Gonzalo Higuaín

Argentina 'Runners-Up XI' (2014)
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At the beginning of the FIFA World Cup 2014, almost everyone marvelled at the attacking line-up of Argentina. With the likes of Agüero, Higuaín, Di María, Messi, Lavezzi, this team was full with big names in attack. While people frowned at the rather unknown players in the defense and midfield of Argentina. However, as it turned out, the Argentina squad proved that appearances can be deceptive. Argentinian attack played well, at least in a decent level; however it is their rock solid defence that excelled. With the likes of Zabaleta, Demichelis, and Rojo; with Mascherano marshalling from the defensive midfield position; Argentina rarely let anyone score against them.

Mascherano in particular was unbelievable; and he was the single-most reason that Argentina reached the Final. Alejandro Sabella played the master stroke when he moved the gutsy defender in to the defensive midfield position, the result was simply phenomenal, as Mascherano was almost unbeatable in most occasions, and thwarted most of the opposition attacks before they even took shape.

In the attacking line-up Higuaín, Di María, Messi all made decent contributions; while the injury sustained by Di María in the Quarter-Final, hurt Argentina the most. The lanky midfielder was a menace in front of the oppositions, and was the most dangerous Argentine player and at times nearly untouchable. Lionel Messi flattered to deceive and failed to reach the hype around him. Captaining Argentina, he scored 4 Goals in the group league matches (which is double the number of Goals he scored in his previous 2 World Cups combined) against the likes of Iran, Bosnia, and Nigeria. However, since the knockout stages begun, and comparatively tougher defences arrived, Messi found it difficult to get any advantage for his team, except a few dribbles here and there.

Argentine Goalkeeper Romero became their hero in the semi-final against a brilliant Holland side, as he singlehandedly dragged his team into the Finals, after the Tie-Breaker Penalty Shootout.

However, in the Final their traditional rival Germany proved just too strong for Argentina. Mascherano in particular, was playing his heart out, and it was mainly due to him, the match went into extra-time, before Germany's Mario Götze scored the WonderGoal to win it for his team.

Coach/Manager : Alejandro Sabella

First XI in the Final :

Sergio Romero
Pablo Zabaleta
Martín Demichelis
Ezequiel Garay
Marcos Rojo
Javier Mascherano
Lucas Biglia
Enzo Pérez
Ezequiel Lavezzi
Lionel Messi (c)
Gonzalo Higuaín

Substitutes:
Hugo Campagnaro
Fernando Gago
Ángel di María (injured)
Maxi Rodríguez
Agustín Orión
Augusto Fernández
Federico Fernández
Rodrigo Palacio
Ricardo Álvarez
Sergio Agüero
Mariano Andújar
José María Basanta