Five things Argentina need to win World Cup

It has been 32 years since Argentina last won the World Cup thanks to the heroics of a certain Diego Maradona. Heartbreak has become synonymous with the Albicelestes fans over the years as many have never seen their favourite team win the trophy after their birth. But another World Cup is here, and they dream again, but what do the team need to make it come true? Let us have a look.

1. Make their experience count

The inclusion of Enzo Perez as a last-minute replacement for the injured Manuel Lanzini made the Argentina squad the oldest team in this World Cup, with an average age of 29 years, six months and 24 days. A number of players that played the 2014 final are likely to play their part in Russia, and Jorge Sampaoli need them to lead by example.

2. Be rock solid at the back

Argentina did not concede in the knockout stages of the last World Cup, keeping clean sheets against Switzerland (120 minutes), Belgium and The Netherlands (120 minutes). Even in the final, they were almost close to shutting the Germans of until Mario Gotze scored in the 113th minute. One year later, they were once again the beaten finalists, this time in Copa America 2015, but they did not concede in the quarterfinals and the final, both getting decided on penalties. In the Copa America Centenario in 2016, it was almost a repeat, they kept clean sheets in the semifinal and the final, although the later they lost on penalties. The Class of 2018 need to show the same determination and agility as well, if they are to go one step further.

3. Taking their chances

Many feel Lionel Messi has been deprived of a trophy because of lack of support from his team-mates, especially the forwards who had been at fault for squandering chances at key moments. Had Gonzalo Higuain not wasted a glorious opportunity early in the 2014 final, the end would have been different, believe most Argentina fans. Some even went on to say that Maradona, too, would have been denied a World Cup had Jorge Burruchaga not converted his superb pass in the 1986 final.

To cut it short, World Cup is a stage where you cannot afford to spurn chances. And the squad better realise that. They have lost three finals in a row, failing to score in one single of them and that needs to change.

4. Practicing penalties

Argentina lost the 2015 and 2016 Copa America finals to the same team, Chile, and on both occasions, on penalties. Lionel Messi, too, does not have the most impeccable record from the spot, so Sampaoli should make them practice more penalties. In nine penalty kicks in those two finals, goalkeeper Sergio Romero was beaten in all but one. He is out injured this time around and his possible replacement Willy Caballero has some reputation in saving penalties. But he, too, needs to do some homework.

5. Giving Messi the support he deserves

Argentina have mostly been a 'one man show', with Lionel Messi pulling the strings. But he is a human being and he cannot do everything alone. To win the title that has so far been evading the Albicelestes, the team have to give this footballing wizard due support. Messi's predecessor Diego Maradona was also heavily marked in the 1986 final and he was not on the scoresheet, all three being scored by his team-mates. But when he created chances, his team-mates made the best of them. Messi needs his team-mates to do the same.

Argentina needed a Messi hattrick on the last day of the qualifying rounds to ensure tickets to Russia and they are not as favourites as Brazil or Germany. But if they learn to take their chances and stop making mistakes, who knows?