Argentina's national team traditionally has a high-quality selection of players. The convocation of the national team for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil was no exception. Many expected a decent result from South American footballers.
Argentina's national team was not in the most difficult group at the World Cup in Brazil. The rivals of the South Americans were the teams of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nigeria and Iran. Some football experts considered this group one of the weakest in the tournament, but the Argentines did not show stunning victories in the group stage matches.
The Argentine national team played the opening match with the Bosnians. The meeting ended with a minimal advantage of the South American footballers (2 - 1). The game with Iran was also very difficult. Only in the fixed time, Messi was able to score a goal, thereby registering the victory of the Argentines with a minimum margin of 1 - 0. The match with the Nigeria team was no exception. True, in this meeting the Argentines scored more - as many as three goals. However, the advantage was minimal (3 - 2). It is worth noting that the Argentines finished all their matches in the tournament with a minimal advantage of one of the teams. But this did not prevent Messi and the company from performing with dignity at the tournament. Argentines from the first place in the group advanced to the playoffs of the World Cup.
The first contender in the playoffs of the South American World Cup was the Swiss team. Only in the second overtime did Argentina secured their victory (1 - 0). With the same score, the Latin American footballers celebrated their success in the quarterfinals with Belgium.
In the semifinal match, the Argentines were opposed by the Netherlands team. The main and extra time ended in a goalless draw. In the penalty shootout, the blue and white celebrated their success.
Argentina made it to the World Cup final for the first time since 1990. It is noteworthy that at the 2014 tournament the final pair was the same as at the 1990 World Cup - Germany - Argentina. In Rio de Janeiro, the Argentines lost with a minimum score of 0 - 1. Goetze, a young talent from Germany, left Argentina without a world title in the second overtime.
Of course, at present, the fans, the coaching staff and the players of the team are upset with the final result. However, the time will pass when the final passions will subside, and the silver in the 2014 FIFA World Cup for the Argentine team will be a worthy result.
