This World Cup in Qatar has been an eye opener, not least for how competitive many of the matches have been. Yes, there have been a few shocks and the less heralded nations have produced some of the most thrilling performances. You might say as well that some of the bigger nations have been found wanting for commitment and effort. I definitely think that you can aim that at Argentina, as well as Germany too. England last night in their match with the USA nearly succumbed too.
Lets say this right now. I'm English but I thought the US were superb. Organised, fit, they ran and pressed all night and harried England out of their comfort zone. The US played a brave strategy, pressing high and leaving gaps in behind risking the counter attack in wide areas. Through their courageous strategy, England were found wanting and could not put more than 4-5 passes together, and had maybe 2 good chances at best. This from a team who scored 6 goals just a few days ago. The US looked like a team, just like Saudia Arabia and Japan were collectivelty better than the sum of the individual parts. The England team a bunch of talented individuals.
Therein lies the keys to the teams doing well at this World Cup. Those who are brave, willing to risk all, prepared to act as one unit and are prepared to work their socks off for 90+ minutes are winning the day. Football is a team game, and this World Cup seems to be more about the effort and organisation of the whole, and less about the star players and their egos. Amen to that....