Why Argentina were behind four of the best five matches of the World Cup

I watched nearly every game of this World Cup, so I thought I would try making a list of my top five matches.

This is my list. I don’t claim it to be comprehensive or unbiased. I’ve considered a combination of factors, including the significance of the match, the quality of the play, surprises and drama.

1. Argentina 3-3 France (Argentina 4-2 on penalties)

Wow. Lionel Messi. Kylian Mbappe. Comeback. Comeback again. Two times in a row these sides have played in one of the matches of the World Cup. It was the perfect end to a breathtaking tournament.

2. Croatia 1-1 Brazil (Croatia 4-2 on penalties)

The first 90 minutes didn’t really amaze, but if a goal like Neymar’s can still end up on the losing side, it must have been a special game. Neymar’s goal was stunning. It was easily the best of the tournament for me. It felt right that that goal would win the game. The Brazilian celebrations felt secure. Who could lose after a goal like that? But of course it had to be to Croatia, the team with a penchant for penalty wins.

(Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images)

3. Saudi Arabia 2-1 Argentina

If you were to take the crowd and underdog factor out of this match, it wouldn’t make the list, but the atmosphere and passion of the fans in the second half get it in the top five all on their own, not to mention the fact that that 15 minutes after half-time Saudi Arabia were actually brilliant, especially considering Argentina dominated the first half and were leading.

4. Argentina 2-2 Netherlands (Argentina 4-3 on penalties)

This was the second course of an incredible day at the World Cup, and this one makes it for the pure shock, surprise and scandal it contained. Argentina looked home and started playing accordingly until a 101st-minute equaliser in normal time with such cheek and dare. What boldness to try that free kick at that stage of the match.

5. Argentina 2-1 Australia

I said I’m biased. and here it is. For Australia to look like a legitimate contender against Argentina in the knockout stages of a World Cup left me shocked and proud. I believe the match itself would have pleased even European neutrals, with Australia making plenty of chances. especially late (Oh, Garang Kuol, what might have been!).

The worst game: Argentina 2-0 Poland

Yes, this might seem harsh, but this is my list. I know there were other more boring games, but this one left me feeling the most hollow at the end of it. Poland were poor and didn’t deserve to go through to the last 16. Mexico tried everything against Saudi Arabia and, despite winning, did not go through. It felt wrong that the bolder, more aggressive team failed to go through. Poland were even banking on their fair play record at one point to go through and were content to risk that Mexico would not score again.

Explainer

It’s a pure coincidence Argentina feature in every match bar one. Often it’s because of their opponents and not themselves.

I wanted Morocco to make this list, and their win over Belgium was fifth in my draft ranking. But I wanted to be true to this list and focus only on the match, not alter it for the sake of what happened in the whole tournament, hence Saudi Arabia making it not Morocco.

On that, I heard many times that Morocco’s fans were the best, but at least based on my TV viewing the Saudi Arabian fans in the second half of their match against Argentina were the high point of crowd passion in this tournament.

Of course I remember the three-all draw between Cameroon and Serbia, but the fact that a draw was not an ideal outcome for either team killed an otherwise fantastic game.

And yes, I’m aware of Japan’s comebacks against Germany and Spain – but if two incredible comebacks against recent world champions can’t get you into my list, it just shows what an incredible World Cup it was.