Argentina’s 2022 World Cup Final Performance: A Tactical Departure
Argentina secured its third FIFA World Cup title in December 2022 by defeating France in a penalty shootout following a 3–3 draw at Lusail Stadium. While the team’s path to the final was characterized by a consistent tactical reliance on Lionel Messi’s creative freedom, the championship match represented a distinct shift in how the squad managed high-pressure transitions against a defending champion.
Tactical Shifts in the 2022 Final
Throughout the 2022 tournament in Qatar, Argentina typically operated with a system that prioritized verticality and quick progression toward Lionel Messi. However, in the final against France, manager Lionel Scaloni implemented a more rigid defensive structure during the opening 80 minutes. According to FIFA match reports, Argentina maintained greater control over the midfield, limiting France to zero shots in the first half—the first time a team had failed to register a shot in the opening 45 minutes of a World Cup final since 1966.
The tactical adjustment focused on isolating Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann by deploying Angel Di María on the left flank, a move that stretched the French defensive line and forced France’s fullbacks into deeper positions. This approach allowed Argentina to dictate the tempo, forcing France manager Didier Deschamps to make two substitutions before halftime to stabilize the midfield.
Comparative Performance: Group Stage vs. Final
The contrast between Argentina’s early tournament play and the final is stark when examining possession and defensive intensity.
| Metric | Group Stage (vs. Saudi Arabia) | World Cup Final (vs. France) |
| :— | :— | :— |
| First Half Shots Allowed | 1 | 0 |
| Tactical Focus | High-line pressure | Mid-block containment |
| Key Dynamic | Reliance on individual brilliance | Collective tactical discipline |
Data from Opta Sports indicates that while Argentina relied on individual moments of brilliance during the group stage, the final required a disciplined, collective effort to neutralize France’s transition-heavy attack. The shift to a mid-block structure allowed Argentina to sustain pressure for longer durations without overcommitting defenders, a departure from the more reactive style seen in their opening match against Saudi Arabia.
Managing the Momentum Shift
The final proved that even with a structured game plan, volatility remains a factor in elite football. After Argentina led 2–0, France equalized within 97 seconds late in the second half through two goals by Kylian Mbappé. This sequence forced a pivot from Scaloni’s possession-based approach to a more frantic, back-and-forth contest.
According to BBC Sport coverage of the event, the tactical flexibility shown by both benches during extra time underscored the evolution of international management. Argentina’s ability to re-establish their shape after France’s late equalizer demonstrated the squad’s resilience, ultimately leading to the victory in the penalty shootout.
Tournament Legacy
The 2022 final remains a case study in tactical adaptation. By moving away from a rigid reliance on a single playmaker and toward a system that prioritized defensive cohesion, Argentina successfully navigated the pressure of the final. This victory marked the first time a South American nation won the tournament since Brazil in 2002, solidifying the strategic adjustments made by Scaloni throughout the month-long competition. The match solidified Lionel Messi’s international career, as he became the first player to score in every round of a single World Cup tournament under the current format.