Why Every Remaining Team Could Win the World Cup

Jul 13

By: Will Aimette

With the final four teams set to play next week, the World Cup is finally coming to an end. And after months of joy, heartbreak, and elation, the only remaining teams are Argentina, England, France, and Spain. And they all have a shot to win. Here’s how:

Argentina

Although they have the greatest player of all time, Messi (somehow) is not their biggest strength. And that’s because their positional flexibility could lead them to a World Cup title. What exactly is positional flexibility? Well, the best players in the world are players that are multifaceted in their game. For example, a flexible attacker can score, pass, and defend, and the best defenders can do the same. Being positionally flexible is a great advantage, because players can adjust to who they play around. Although these guys have played with one another before, most spend the majority of their careers playing on separate club teams. But if you have seven or eight guys that have the ability to adjust to their teammates’ skills, everyone can play to their strengths. For example, take a guy like Messi, who used to play on the right side but has transitioned to more of a striker role in recent years. Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez have adjusted to his playstyle, both serving as passers and playmakers instead of traditional scorers. It’s the same case with the midfield, as Alexis Mac Allister has served as a great all-around midfielder; he scored the opener against Switzerland and has also been a great defensive asset. Centerback Christian Romero has similarly been great on the attack (especially on corners) and scored the deciding goal against Egypt. What makes Argentina so good is their willingness to compromise their own stats for a team win. Although they’ve looked shaky, this team keeps finding ways to win, and what makes them so dangerous is that they will do everything they can to keep finding these ways for the remainder of this World Cup.

England

Unlike their traditional basic playstyle, England plays with a certain emotion and energy that no other team has. They have electric playmakers, especially on the attack, that constantly seem to be buzzing around the pitch. Although Harry Kane leads the attack (and has the most total goals at 6), Jude Bellingham has stepped up as the leader these past few games. The future has finally arrived for England, with attackers Eze and Gordon progressing quickly, along with Bellingham. These youngsters are exactly what England has been missing these past few World Cups; they’ve finally given their veteran striker a real chance. They hustle more than any other team remaining, as it seems like these guys want it the most. Nobody else has played with the same desperation in this World Cup as RB Djed Spence did against Norway. Winger Anthony Gordon had a wonderful assist in that same game, and midfielder Morgan Rogers created a great chance which led to the game-winning goal. My point? These guys are chance-creators, hustlers, and electric players, something this England team has been missing for a long time.

Spain

Depth. Three out of their top five goalscorers this World Cup came off the bench. Mikel Merino has two game-winning goals in his last two games, and in both, he came on later than the 65th minute. Ferran Torres is having an incredible season with Barcelona and has been playing very well for Spain, and Fabian Ruiz is one of the leading goalscorers on the team. Zubimendi has been a great defensive asset for Spain off the bench, as he makes an impact all over the pitch. And then they have Nico Williams. His health will determine how far Spain goes. He’s one of the best wingers in the world when healthy, and when paired with Yamal, the goal is never safe. It’s a shame that each team only gets five subs per game, since so many quality players with fresh legs will be stuck on the bench for Spain. However, they can still beat France by outworking them, because players can give it their all in the first half, knowing they’ll have a great sub coming in for them in the second half.

France

Attack. If there is a weakness in the French team, it would have to be their defense. Although it is one of the best defenses in the world, it’s somewhat beatable. The thing is, they’ve never really been tested. Why? Because about 60% of the game is played in the opposing team’s third of the pitch. There’s really no need for the French to defend when they’re constantly on the attack. They might just have three of the four best attackers in the world. Mbappe is probably the best right now, Dembele won the Ballon D’or last year, and Olise is in that same conversation for this year (and he’s putting on a show this World Cup). Defenders just get overwhelmed, because it’s almost impossible to stop all three of them in 90 minutes. Their midfield can consistently feed through balls to these playmakers and let them go one-on-one. Eventually, with that talent, they're pretty much guaranteed to win. Enough said.

My prediction:

Semi 1: France 2, Spain 1. As good as Spain has looked throughout this tournament, I think France will overwhelm them with their attack, and their defense will hold out. However, this game will be the most exciting match of the tournament.

Semi 2: Argentina 3, England 2 after 120 minutes. Argentina just can’t lose, whether they play great or awful, they keep on winning. Messi will be dominant, and Argentina will almost fall yet again, but I think they’ll prevail in extra time. Although this run for Argentina hasn’t been as dominant as last year, I think we’re all headed towards a World Cup Final rematch.

Final: France 3, Argentina 1. France has transformed into a much better team since the last World Cup, but Argentina has only aged. Olise and Doue will make the match much different from four years ago, so I don’t think this will be close. Too one-sided in talent gap.

Will Aimette