Argentina's World Cup loss to Spain exposed a physical deficit that affected their performance in the tournament. The team's inability to keep up with Spain's intense midfield play and their reliance on a small group of players were major concerns.

What happened?

Since the starting whistle, Spain imposed a very superior rhythm. With a dynamic and intense midfield, Spain dominated possession and forced Argentina to chase the ball for most of the game. This superiority also exposed the poor performance of Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, and Rodrigo De Paul throughout the World Cup.

Why it matters for Argentina?

The final brought back to the forefront the debate over the team's roster management. Throughout the World Cup, Lionel Scaloni repeatedly opted for a small core of players and maintained a nearly unchanged structure from one game to the next. The most frequent changes were the entries of Gonzalo Montiel for Nahuel Molina -or vice versa-, as well as the appearances of Nicolás González and Lautaro Martínez.

What comes next?

With the World Cup now over, the Argentine national team is entering a period of analysis and renewal. The challenge for the coaching staff will be to find new alternatives in midfield and in the attacking front, either to initiate a generational change or to better support Lionel Messi if the captain decides to continue with the Argentine jersey. Argentina has been on a 5-game winning streak, including the recent 2-1 victory over England on July 15, 2026.