The revenge is coming: How much has Argentina changed since the 3-0 loss it suffered against Croatia in Russia 2018?

Argentina He managed to leave the Netherlands on the road and now he will meet one of his biggest executioners in Russia 2018: Croatia. Four years ago, the Argentines suffered a painful defeat by the Croatians in the group stage (3-0), but many things have changed since then.

This Friday, Lionel Scaloni’s team suffered more than necessary to beat Louis Van Gaal’s. Winning 2-0 most of the time, the Argentines naively allowed themselves to be leveled in the last minutes, but they were able to correct their mistakes in extra time to get their long-awaited pass to the semifinals.

It is in this instance where the ‘albiceleste’ will face off against Croatia, which surprisingly eliminated the favorite Brazil in the quarterfinals. Without a doubt, it will be a tough opponent for Scaloni’s men, but there is much more hope than four years ago.

How much has Argentina changed?

The duel will undoubtedly spark sparks. And is not for less. Argentina has improved a lot in recent years. His numbers and two titles won in this period (Copa América and Finalissima) support him.

First it is necessary to take into account that to classify to Russia 2018, the ‘albiceleste’ suffered several complications. Only on a final date of heart attack of the Qualifiers, the Argentine team achieved their direct classification to the World Cup (3rd) by two points more than Peru (playoff).

The story now has been different. Argentina has arrived at Qatar 2022 as the second best in South America and classified four dates before the closing of the Qualifiers, after maintaining an impressive undefeated record (11 wins and six draws). The change, in that sense, is resounding.

Likewise, the 2018 team faced the World Cup challenge still with an enormous weight of not being able to succeed. Four lost finals overwhelmed him a lot. But currently in Qatar 2022, Scaloni’s team can play with the peace of mind of having won two extremely valuable trophies along the way.

In terms of the squad itself, Argentina also suffered many variations. The team that lost by a landslide four years ago against Croatia is clearly no longer the same as it is now. Of those who played as a starter that time, only Otamendi, Acuña, Messi and Tagliafico (now a substitute) remain. And of the substitutes, only Dybala, Armani and Di María continue.

So, sacred cows of the ‘Albiceleste’ such as Higuaín, ‘Kun’ Agüero and Mascherano stopped playing to make way for emerging figures such as Julián Álvarez, Rodrigo de Paul and ‘Cuti’ Romero. Renovated.

In the same way, Jorge Sampaoli -infinitely criticized- directed the Argentine team in Russia 2018; Today everything is in the hands of Lionel Scaloni, whom few trusted at the beginning, but who has precisely allowed the gaucho affliction to come to an end and expectations to rise again for this team.

The changes are there, in full evidence. Now all that remains is for Argentina to prove it on the field, to erase that 3-0 loss in Russia 2018 and to redeem itself by qualifying for a new World Cup final.