Argentina are into the 2022 World Cup final after a mesmerising display from Lionel Messi against Croatia. But what happened to the Albiceleste side that reached the final in 2014?
Messi carried his country to the final in Brazil eight years ago before losing the showpiece FIFA tie to Germany. Mario Gotze denied the iconic forward the only major trophy missing from his decorated trophy cabinet on 113 minutes when the midfielder scored to win 1-0.
Argentina had not made a World Cup final since Italia 90, when they also finished second, before Brazil 2014. They would also crash out in the Round of 16 at Russia 2018 to France in a 4-3 defeat. But Messi has inspired the two-time champions to another run to the final.
Messi inspires Argentina against Croatia to reach the 2022 World Cup final
Under Lionel Scaloni, Argentina have effectively been playing knockout stage football since their second fixture at Qatar 2022. Saudi Arabia stunned the 1978 and 1986 champions by coming from behind to win 2-1 after Messi had opened the scoring from the penalty spot.
Messi then inspired Argentina to beat Mexico 2-0 as he scored to light the Group C tie up before assisting Enzo Fernandez. A 2-0 win against Poland then secured a Round of 16 tie with Australia they won 2-1, beat the Netherlands on penalties and now edge Croatia 3-0.
Once again it was Messi who broke the deadlock for Argentina against Australia. He then hit their second against the Netherlands before Oranje took the tie to a shootout in a 2-2 draw. While his penalty put La Albiceleste on course to overcome defeated 2018 finalists, Croatia.
Yet it was the 35-year-old's play to make it 3-0 that captivated the World Cup stage. Messi received the ball by the halfway line under firm pressure from Josko Gvardiol. Yet he burst forward, turned the centre-back inside out and cut the ball back for Julian Alvarez to score.
Gvardiol did everything right in trying to shield Messi down the line and not let the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner onto his favoured left foot. But the four-time Champions League winner left Gvardiol chasing shadows after dipping a shoulder to deceive the 20-year-old.
Now, Argentina are through to the World Cup final at Qatar 2022 looking to become just the fourth three-time champion. Only Brazil (5), Germany (4) and Italy (4) have won more FIFA titles than La Albiceleste, Uruguay and France (2) plus England and Spain (1) have to date.
What happened to Argentina's XI that reached the 2014 World Cup final?
Argentina had a chance to equal Germany on three World Cup titles when they met in the final at Brazil 2014. But Gotze settled the Estadio Maracana affair in extra time with a cute volley. The midfielder had perfect technique to bring Andre Schurrle's pass down to score.
Messi had dragged his country out of Group F at the last World Cup held in South America. He scored in a 2-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, a 1-0 win over Iran and twice in a 3-2 win over Nigeria. The 171-cap icon then assisted to eliminate Switzerland 1-0 in the last 16.
Argentina also went on to beat Belgium 1-0 in the quarter-finals and the Netherlands 4-2 on penalties in the semi-finals. La Albiceleste's tie with Oranje ended 0-0 after extra time, while Messi scored their first penalty after the Dutch missed theirs just like they did at Qatar 2022.
So, with Argentina now back in a World Cup final at Qatar 2022, HITC Football has taken a look at what happened to the Albiceleste side that lost to Germany in the Brazil 2014 final.
Sergio Romero (GK): Argentina's 2014 World Cup final star is now at Boca Juniors
Sergio Romero earned 96 caps for Argentina between 2009 and 2018, including starting all seven games at Brazil 2014. The 35-year-old also featured five times at the 2010 edition in South Africa. But a knee injury while at Manchester United sidelined him over Russia 2018.
The goalkeeper joined the Red Devils from Sampdoria a year after losing to Germany in Rio de Janeiro. He spent six years at Old Trafford and won one FA Cup and one Europa League title before joining Venezia in 2021. Romero would then move to Boca Juniors this August.
Pablo Zabaleta (RB): Argentina's 2014 World Cup final star is now a pundit in Qatar
The only World Cup that Pablo Zabaleta ever went to saw the 58-cap right-back start in all seven of Argentina's fixtures and reach the final in 2014. His international career ran from 2005 to 2016, though. He is also now at Qatar 2022 but working as a pundit for BBC Sport.
Zabaleta retired from playing in 2020 upon leaving West Ham United after three seasons in east London. He had spent the prior nine at Manchester City after joining from Espanyol in 2008. There, the 37-year-old won the Premier League title twice plus one FA Cup crown.
Ezequiel Garay (CB): He called time on his career after a year without a club
Ezequiel Garay called time on his playing career in 2021 after spending one year without a club. Valencia released the centre-half in 2020 following his four years there. He also spent two years with Zenit Saint Petersburg after leaving Benfica following the 2014 World Cup.
Martin Demichelis (CB): River Plate have hired their ex-defender as their manager
Martin Demichelis secured his first senior head coach role as River Plate announced he will replace Marcelo Gallardo in November. The 41-year-old started coaching as an assistant at Malaga in 2017 before joining Bayern Munich's youth team in 2019 then U19 and reserves.
Malaga gave the ex-centre-back his first non-playing position after he retired at the club in 2017. He also spent the first half of the 2016/17 term at Espanyol after leaving Manchester City. The 51-cap star also won four Bundesligas at Bayern after leaving River Plate in 2003.
Marcos Rojo (LB): Argentina's hero vs Nigeria is now Boca Juniors' captain
Marcos Rojo scored to give Argentina a 3-2 win over Nigeria at the 2014 World Cup. It was one of three goals the defender scored across his 61 caps from 2011 to 2019. Manchester United would then pay Sporting Lisbon £16m to sign the defender on a five-year contract.
He would go on to extend his terms but joined Boca Juniors over the winter 2021 market. Rojo is now the Argentinean side's captain, as well, and helped the Xeneizes win the 2022 Primera Division title. The 32-year-old won an FA Cup and Europa League at Old Trafford.
Javier Mascherano (CDM): Argentina U20 manager made the TOTT in 2014
Javier Mascherano is now Argentina's U20 manager but in 2014, he made the Team of the Tournament after making the World Cup final in Brazil. The 38-year-old is also his nation's second most-capped player behind Messi's 171 after earning 147 between 2003 and 2018.
But what happened to Mascherano after shining in an Argentina side that made the 2014 World Cup final? Well, the midfielder would leave Barcelona after eight seasons in 2018 to join Hebei FC. He also joined Estudiantes in January 2020 before retiring in that November.
Lucas Biglia (CDM): Istanbul Basaksehir signed the midfielder this summer
Lucas Biglia went to the 2014 World Cup with Argentina after impressing in a Lazio side he joined in 2013. AC Milan later came calling from 2017 to 2020 before he moved to Turkey with Fatih Karagumruk. Now, the 36-year-old plays for Istanbul Basaksehir since this July.
Ezequiel Lavezzi (RW): The Napoli and PSG hero retired in 2020 as a star in China
Ezequiel Lavezzi enjoyed a 51-cap career from 2007 to 2017 yet he only went to the World Cup in 2014. He was also hooked at half-time in the final as a Paris Saint-Germain ace after leaving Napoli in 2012. The winger later left PSG in 2016 for Hebei FC until retiring in 2020.
Lionel Messi (CAM): He captained Argentina to the 2014 World Cup final vs Germany
Messi captained his country at a World Cup for the first time as Argentina reached the final in 2014. He has since gone on to set new Albiceleste records for caps (171), goals (96) and assists (55). The forward is also now the oldest player to score five goals at one World Cup.
Enzo Perez (LW): A River Plate reunion for two of Argentina's 2014 World Cup side
Enzo Perez only earned 26 caps from 2009 to 2018 but went to the World Cup in 2014 and 2018. He was not initially one of Argentina's first-choice starters at either tournament, as well. Now, though, he is River Plate's captain and reunited with Demichelis as his manager.
Gonzalo Higuain (ST): The curtain has now fallen on the forward's career
The curtain has now fallen on Gonzalo Higuain's career as the striker announced the 2022 MLS season would be his final campaign in October. He bowed out at 35 years old after 75 caps for Argentina – including 14 appearances at World Cups for five goals and one assist.
But what happened to the striker after Argentina made the final of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil? Well, he continued to represent La Albiceleste until their poor Russia 2018 run. He also left Napoli for Juventus from 2016 to 2020, featuring loans to AC Milan and Chelsea.
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