Argentina’s Penalty Bonanza: A Statistical Oddity From the start of the tournament to the final whistle, the Argentine national team was awarded a staggering five penalties.
To put this into perspective, the entire 2022 World Cup saw only 23 penalties awarded (excluding penalty shootouts). This means that Argentina alone accounted for a remarkable 21.7% of all penalties awarded in the tournament in Qatar.
Dutch national team coach, Louis van Gaal, received an award at the Dutch football gala on September 4th, and he expressed reservations about the World Cup, possibly his last in his managerial career. The 72-year-old coach remarked, “I don’t want to dwell on World Cup 2022, but the way the Argentine players scored goals compared to the Netherlands, or how they repeatedly crossed the line without being penalized, suggests that this tournament may have been manipulated.”
When asked to clarify his statements, Van Gaal added, “I’m speaking from the heart. Messi had to be the World Cup champion.”
Messi’s Influence and Controversy Argentina scored a total of 14 goals in the 2022 World Cup, with four of them coming from penalty kicks, all courtesy of Messi. The 36-year-old superstar also missed a penalty in the group stage against Poland when his shot was pushed away by goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. In contrast, the Netherlands scored 10 goals in the tournament, but none came from penalties.
Van Gaal had previously led the Netherlands to two World Cup appearances, both of which ended in defeats to Argentina in the knockout stages, including the 2014 semi-final and the 2022 quarter-final. The final match of his managerial career also resulted in a loss to Argentina.
Before that game, Van Gaal had stated that Messi was Argentina’s weakest link, and he had a plan to stop the team’s captain. Van Gaal even had his players practice penalty shootouts extensively, but they still lost 3-4 in the shootout. Messi scored a penalty after providing the assist to Nahuel Molina for the opening goal.
Argentina’s penalty count in the 2022 World Cup was the highest, more than double the tally of the second-placed teams, Portugal and France. Furthermore, no other team scored more than one penalty. After the quarter-final match, Messi taunted Van Gaal and Dutch striker Wout Weghorst.
Van Gaal resigned after the match and has not taken charge of any other team since. He guided the Dutch team to an unbeaten streak of 20 matches, excluding penalty shootouts. On August 9th, Van Gaal underwent surgery for prostate cancer but mentioned feeling healthier.
In Search of the Truth The controversy surrounding the 2022 World Cup extends beyond the penalties. Bruno Fernandes, a prominent player, voiced his concerns following Portugal’s defeat to Morocco in the quarter-finals. He questioned the presence of an Argentine referee officiating in the tournament while Argentina was still playing.
He highlighted that Portuguese referees officiate in the UEFA Champions League, showcasing their experience in high-paced matches. Fernandes also expressed frustration over a clear penalty not being awarded to Portugal during the first half and numerous interruptions during the game.
Fernandes also defended his former Manchester United teammate, Ronaldo, against rumors affecting the Portuguese team’s morale. These rumors included Ronaldo’s desire to leave Old Trafford and his decision to skip training with the national team due to not being a starter.
The World Cup’s Controversial Journey Many football enthusiasts and experts have weighed in on the contentious events of the 2022 World Cup. Some have called it a major failure in football history, citing Argentina’s seemingly smooth path from the group stage to the final, where they received penalty after penalty.
However, let’s take a closer look at Argentina’s journey leading up to the final match. When Argentina arrived at the 2022 World Cup, they were on an impressive 36-match unbeaten streak. Their strategy primarily revolved around ball control, with Lionel Messi leading the charge.
Yet, Saudi Arabia disrupted Argentina’s rhythm with a frustrating defensive approach. This forced Scaloni, Argentina’s coach, to rethink his tactics and introduce new strategies. When Messi faced close marking, Argentina needed a dynamic forward in the attacking position. Julian Alvarez was trusted to replace Lautaro Martinez.
If Argentina couldn’t maintain ball possession, they switched to a formation with three defenders. As they entered the crucial stages of the tournament, Scaloni had to consider new variations.
Scaloni, appointed as coach after the 2018 World Cup, observed various opponents of Argentina, with the French national team’s match against Peru being particularly enlightening.
This experience allowed him to develop a strategy that involved dropping deep and luring opponents forward before striking with counter-attacks, a strategy often associated with the French team.
Throughout the tournament, Argentina’s strategy evolved, becoming more versatile and pragmatic as they adapted to different opponents. Their journey was not just about penalties but rather a display of adaptability and resilience.
The Blurred Lines of Triumph and Manipulation The 2022 World Cup in Qatar will undoubtedly be remembered for its controversies, particularly regarding the high number of penalties awarded to Argentina and questions surrounding the officiating. While some may argue that these events hint at manipulation, a closer examination reveals a more complex narrative.
Argentina’s journey to World Cup glory was marked by adaptability, tactical evolution, and the brilliance of Lionel Messi. Their success was not solely dependent on penalties but rather on their ability to adapt to various opponents and challenges.
Moreover, the departure of Dutch coach Louis van Gaal may have been influenced by a personal rivalry with Messi and his team, rather than the presence of any nefarious manipulation.
As football fans, we should cherish the moments of skill and drama that unfolded during the 2022 World Cup while remaining vigilant and critical of the sport’s governing bodies to ensure the integrity of the game is upheld. In the end, whether it was Messi’s triumph or manipulation, the 2022 World Cup showcased the captivating and unpredictable nature of football, leaving us eagerly awaiting the next chapter in this beautiful game.
