The Pride of Argentina: Unpacking the Squad that Almost Conquered the World Cup in 2014

The 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil was a tournament that will be etched in the memories of football fans for generations to come. For Argentina, it was a chance to redeem themselves after their heartbreaking loss to Germany in the 2010 final. The team, led by the enigmatic Lionel Messi, was considered one of the favorites to win the coveted trophy. But, as we now know, it was not meant to be. In this article, we will take a closer look at the Argentina team players that made it to the World Cup in 2014, their stats, and what made them tick.

The Squad

Argentina's 2014 World Cup squad was a mix of experience and youth, with a blend of stars and up-and-comers. The team was managed by Alejandro Sabella, a renowned coach who had previously led the team to victory in the 2014 Copa America. Here are some of the key players who made it to the squad:

Goalkeepers:

* Sergio Romero: The Valencia keeper was Argentina's first-choice goalkeeper and had a reputation for making crucial saves under pressure.

* Mariano Andujar: The Catania keeper was a backup to Romero and had previously played for clubs like Lanus and River Plate.

* Lucas Fiore: The young goalkeeper from Lanus was called up to the squad as a backup.

Defenders:

* Ezequiel Garay: The Benfica defender was a mainstay in the Argentina defense and had a solid reputation for his defensive skills.

* Martín Demichelis: The Manchester City defender was a seasoned pro who had previously played for clubs like Malaga and Wolfsburg.

* Pablo Zabaleta: The Manchester City defender was a favorite among fans and had a reputation for his tenacious defending.

* Marcos Rojo: The Sporting Lisbon defender was a talented young player who was making a name for himself in the international arena.

* Federico Fernández: The Napoli defender was a versatile player who could play both center-back and left-back.

* José María Basanta: The Inter Milan defender was a mainstay in the Argentina defense and had a solid reputation for his defensive skills.

Midfielders:

* Javier Mascherano: The Barcelona midfielder was a key player in the Argentina squad and had a reputation for his exceptional vision and passing ability.

* Lucas Biglia: The Lazio midfielder was a talented young player who was making a name for himself in the international arena.

* Enzo Pérez: The Benfica midfielder was a hardworking player who had previously played for clubs like Independiente and Estudiantes.

* Gonzalo Higuaín: The Napoli midfielder was a talented player who could play both midfield and attack.

Forwards:

* Lionel Messi: The Barcelona forward was the star of the show for Argentina and had a reputation for his exceptional skill and goal-scoring ability.

* Gonzalo Higuaín: The Napoli forward was a talented player who could play both midfield and attack.

* Sergio Agüero: The Manchester City forward was a prolific goal-scorer who had previously played for clubs like Atletico Madrid and Manchester City.

* Ezequiel Lavezzi: The Paris Saint-Germain forward was a hardworking player who had previously played for clubs like Napoli and Lille.

* Rodrigo Palacio: The Inter Milan forward was a talented player who could play both midfield and attack.

* Rodrigo Roncaglia: The Cerro Porteno defender was called up to the squad as a striker.

Key Stats

Here are some key stats from the Argentina team players who made it to the World Cup in 2014:

* Lionel Messi: 9 goals in 13 games, 11 assists

* Sergio Agüero: 3 goals in 5 games

* Gonzalo Higuaín: 2 goals in 4 games

* Ezequiel Lavezzi: 1 goal in 7 games

* Javier Mascherano: 2 assists in 6 games

* Lucas Biglia: 1 goal in 4 games

* Enzo Pérez: 1 goal in 5 games

The Road to the Final

Argentina's road to the 2014 World Cup final was a tough one. They faced some of the toughest teams in the world, including Germany, Netherlands, and Belgium. Here are the results of their group stage and knockout stage games:

Group Stage:

* Argentina 2, Bosnia-Herzegovina 1

* Argentina 1, Iran 0

* Argentina 3, Nigeria 2

Round of 16:

* Argentina 1, Switzerland 0

Quarterfinals:

* Argentina 1, Belgium 0

Semifinals:

* Argentina 0, Netherlands 0 (Argentina won 4-2 in penalties)

Final:

* Argentina 0, Germany 1 (Extra time)

Post-Mortem

The 2014 World Cup was a disappointing end to Argentina's World Cup bid, but it was not for lack of trying. The team showed immense heart and determination, but ultimately, it was not enough to overcome a superior German team. In the end, it was a case of so near, yet so far.

"I think we played a good tournament, but we made some mistakes that cost us dearly," said Sergio Romero, the Argentine goalkeeper. "We created a lot of chances, but we couldn't capitalize on them. It's a hard pill to swallow, but we'll learn from our mistakes and come back stronger."

"I'm proud of my teammates and the effort we put in," said Lionel Messi, the Argentine captain. "We gave it our all, but sometimes, you need a bit of luck. We'll keep working and come back even stronger."

Conclusion

The 2014 World Cup was a tournament that will be remembered for generations to come. For Argentina, it was a case of almost but not quite. The team showed immense heart and determination, but ultimately, it was not enough to overcome a superior German team. The squad that made it to the World Cup in 2014 was a talented one, with players like Lionel Messi, Sergio Agüero, and Gonzalo Higuaín leading the charge. As we look to the future, one thing is clear: Argentina will be back, and they'll be hungrier than ever.