Argentina 1–2 Saudi Arabia
Messi scored a penalty, but Saudi Arabia struck twice early in the second half and defended the lead.
Historic squad guide · Champion
Argentina 2022 World Cup Squad
Argentina's 2022 World Cup squad won the country's third title after recovering from an opening defeat by Saudi Arabia. Lionel Scaloni adjusted personnel and midfield relationships during the competition, allowing Lionel Messi to lead a flexible team that could control possession, attack in transition and survive two penalty shootouts.
Tournament resultChampion
FinalArgentina 3–3 France · 4–2 pens
Tournament record4 wins · 2 draws · 1 loss
Goals scored15
Goals conceded8
CaptainLionel Messi
Top Argentina scorerLionel Messi · 7
Head coachLionel Scaloni
Archive rating80
How the Argentina 2022 team played
Argentina did not use one fixed attacking shape. Enzo Fernández became the deepest midfielder, Rodrigo De Paul covered the right half-space and Alexis Mac Allister progressed from the left. Messi received freedom between midfield and attack, with Julián Álvarez pressing and running beyond him. Ángel Di María provided natural width when selected, while the full-backs adapted their forward movement to the opponent. Cristian Romero and Nicolás Otamendi defended aggressively behind a compact midfield.
Key players
Messi scored seven goals, assisted three and received the Golden Ball. Emiliano Martínez made decisive shootout saves and stopped Randal Kolo Muani late in the final. Álvarez scored four goals after entering the starting XI, Fernández transformed the midfield and Mac Allister created Di María's final goal. De Paul supplied defensive running around Messi, while Di María returned from injury to win a penalty and score in the final.
Legacy of the squad
The title ended Argentina's 36-year wait and completed Messi's World Cup career with a championship. The team showed resilience after the Saudi Arabia defeat and after surrendering two-goal leads against both the Netherlands and France. The final, a 3–3 draw followed by a shootout, became one of the competition's most dramatic matches and established the squad alongside the 1978 and 1986 champions.
Every match from the tournament run
Argentina 2022 World Cup results
Argentina 2–0 Mexico
Messi broke a tense match with a low shot before Fernández scored his first international goal.
Poland 0–2 Argentina
Mac Allister and Álvarez scored as Argentina controlled the match despite Messi's saved penalty.
Argentina 2–1 Australia
Messi and Álvarez scored before Martínez made a late save to prevent an Australian equaliser.
Netherlands 2–2 Argentina · 3–4 pens
Argentina lost a two-goal lead but Martínez saved two penalties in the shootout.
Argentina 3–0 Croatia
Messi scored a penalty and created Álvarez's second goal after the striker had already completed a long individual run.
Argentina 3–3 France · 4–2 pens
Messi scored twice and Di María once before Argentina converted all four shootout penalties to win the title.
Verified lineup from the final
Argentina 2022 World Cup final starting XI
Argentina's final XI used Martínez in goal; Molina, Romero, Otamendi and Tagliafico in defence; De Paul, Fernández and Mac Allister in midfield; Messi with Álvarez and Di María in attack. Di María's selection on the left changed France's defensive reference points and helped Argentina dominate the first half.
- 1Emiliano Martínez
- 2Nahuel Molina
- 3Cristian Romero
- 4Nicolás Otamendi
- 5Nicolás Tagliafico
- 6Rodrigo De Paul
- 7Enzo Fernández
- 8Alexis Mac Allister
- 9Lionel Messi
- 10Julián Álvarez
- 11Ángel Di María
Roles behind the tournament run
Key Argentina 2022 player contributions
Lionel Messi
Scored seven goals, created decisive chances in every knockout round and controlled Argentina's attacking rhythm.
Emiliano Martínez
Made decisive saves against Australia, the Netherlands and France and received the Golden Glove.
Julián Álvarez
Added vertical running and four goals after replacing Lautaro Martínez in the starting XI.
Enzo Fernández
Improved Argentina's build-up, protected central possession and received the Young Player award.
Ángel Di María
Returned to the XI for the final, won a penalty and finished a sweeping team move for Argentina's second goal.
Rodrigo De Paul
Pressed around Messi, covered the right side and helped Argentina control second balls throughout the knockout stage.
Suggested XI generated from archive order
7a0 suggested Argentina 2022 lineup
This playable selection is separate from the verified historical final starting XI shown above.
26 players
Complete Argentina 2022 squad by position
Goalkeepers
- #1ArmaniGK75
- #12RulliGK72
- #23E. MartínezGK92
Defenders
- #2FoythRB / CB77
- #3TagliaficoLB79
- #4MontielRB / RM76
- #6PezzellaCB75
- #8AcuñaLB / LM80
- #13C. RomeroCB84
- #19OtamendiCB81
- #25L. MartínezCB / LB80
- #26MolinaRB / RM78
Midfielders
- #5ParedesDM79
- #7De PaulDM / CM / RM83
- #10MessiAM / ST99
- #11Di MaríaRM / RW / LM84
- #14PalaciosDM / RM77
- #16AlmadaLM / AM / LW73
- #17Papu GómezLM / AM / LW76
- #18Guido RodríguezDM77
- #20Mac AllisterCM / LM / AM81
- #24Enzo FernándezDM / CM / RM82
Forwards
- #9J. ÁlvarezST / RW84
- #15CorreaRW / ST / LW76
- #21DybalaRW / ST / AM79
- #22LautaroST / LW82
Legend markers in 7a0
Featured legends
Messi
Argentina 2022 FAQ
Who started for Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final?
Martínez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi and Tagliafico; De Paul, Fernández and Mac Allister; Messi, Álvarez and Di María.
How many goals did Messi score in 2022?
Messi scored seven goals and received the Golden Ball.
Who saved penalties for Argentina?
Emiliano Martínez made decisive saves in shootouts against the Netherlands and France.
Did Argentina lose a match?
Yes. Argentina lost 2–1 to Saudi Arabia in the opening group match before going unbeaten in the remaining six games.
Can I use Argentina 2022 in 7a0?
Yes. Argentina 2022 is available as a complete historical squad in the synchronized game archive.
Sources and editorial review
Editorial review: 7a0.online
Last reviewed: 2026-07-25
Historical results and lineups are checked against the cited records. Player ratings, position eligibility and suggested lineups are independent 7a0 editorial values.