Argentina has returned to football’s biggest stage in just two World Cups after losing to Germany in the 2014 final.
Lionel Messi is 90 minutes (or more) away from walking out of an Argentine great’s shadow and confirming his undisputed status. The magic man of La Albiceleste has placed the nation on his back in Qatar, with football’s inner child rooting for the all-time great in Sunday’s final.
Argentina’s recent record in big event finals is, however, dismal. Here’s how they’ve performed in the big games throughout the years.
Argentina’s World Cup finals record
Uruguay defeated Argentina in the inaugural World Cup final in 1930. Their second final appearance was on home soil in 1978, when they faced Johan Cruyff’s Netherlands, who had been defeated finalists in 1974 and were primarily considered one of the most innovative international teams of all time.
However, Mario Kempes ensured that Total Football was never victorious, scoring twice in a 3-1 triumph.
They returned to the final eight years later, thanks to Diego Maradona’s grandeur, and the small genius drove Argentina to triumph against West Germany. After West Germany had recovered from two goals down to equalize with ten minutes left, Maradona set up Jorge Burruchaga for the winner.
However, the Germans gained vengeance four years later in Rome when an Andreas Brehme penalty crushed the Argentines.
Germany subsequently returned to punish Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the 2014 World Cup final, scoring the game’s lone goal in extra time. Thus, La Albiceleste has a two-win, three-loss record in the World Cup finals.
Argentina’s Copa America finals record
Only Uruguay can equal Argentina’s 15 Copa America titles. However, 12 of those won were before 1960.
Their record in the twenty-first century is dismal, particularly in finals. Argentina had lost their previous four Copa America finals, three of which were decided on penalties, before their 15th victory in 2021.
