Argentina - Team Profile

Manager: Alejandro Sabella

Best finish: Winners (1978, 1986)

World Cup record: Played 77, Won 42, Drawn 14, Lost 21

History

Twice champions, twice runners-up, and only Brazil, Italy and Germany have appeared in more finals – so they've got pedigree. They lost 4-2 to hosts Uruguay in the 1930 final and took a while to go one better, 48 years to be exact, on home turf. They did it again in '86, with some help from a fella called Diego Maradona, but lost to Germany in the 1990 final. They haven't got past the quarters since and were hammered 4-0 by Germany in the last eight in 2010.

Whiteboard

When you have Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria ("Los Cuatro Fantasticos") at your disposal, not surprisingly there's an emphasis on attack, which can leave them vulnerable at the back. Sabella favours a 4-3-3, with Messi behind a front two, but has opted for a more cautious approach for trickier contests.

All Star – Lionel Messi

This lot can even afford to ignore Carlos Tevez, but come on, where else can we go but the Messi man?

County Colours – Waterford

Just two big titles. Unforgivable, considering the talent.

Pundit's Corner - Giovanni Trapattoni: "Whoooosh! Fast, no? Technical, beautiful, yes? Messi, Messi, Messi!! So maybe yes. Also, maybe no."

Prospects Argentina would rather fancy winning the World Cup on Brazilian soil and the bookies have them as second favourites. They topped their qualifying group, but it wasn't all smooth; defeat away to Venezuela and a home draw with Bolivia caused palpitation. With Nigeria, Iran and Bosnia and Herzegovina lying in wait in Group F, the pressure will be on Messi to reproduce his club form for his country. If he does, the home party may well be pooped.

FINAL SQUAD

Goalkeepers: 1 Sergio Romero (Sampdoria/Ita), 12 Agustin Orion (Boca Juniors), 21 Mariano Andujar (Catania/Ita).

Defenders: 2 Ezequiel Garay (Benfica/Por), 3 Hugo Campagnaro (Inter Milan/Ita), 4 Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City/Eng), 15 Martin Demichelis (Manchester City/Eng), 16 Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbon/Por), 17 Federico Fernandez (Napoli/Ita), 23 Jose Basanta (Monterrey/Mex).

Midfielders: 5 Fernando Gago (Boca Juniors), 6 Lucas Biglia (Lazio/Ita), 7 Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid/Esp), 8 Enzo Perez (Benfica/Por), 11 Maxi Rodriguez (Newell's Old Boys), 13 Augusto Fernandez (Celta Vigo/Esp), 14 Javier Mascherano (Barcelona/Esp), 19 Ricardo Alvarez (Inter Milan/Ita).

Forwards: 9 Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli/Ita), 10 Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Esp), 18 Rodrigo Palacio (Inter Milan/Ita), 20 Sergio Aguero (Manchester City/Eng), 22 Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris St Germain/Fra).

TEAM LINE-UPS

ARGENTINA (v Bosnia & Herzegovina): 1 Sergio Romero; 4 Pablo Zabaleta, 3 Hugo Campagnaro (5 Fernando Gago, 46 mins), 17 Federico Fernandez, 2 Ezequiel Garay, 16 Marcos Rojo (yc); 11 Maxi Rodriguez (9 Gonzalo Higuain, 46 mins), 14 Javier Mascherano, 7 Angel Di Maria; 10 Lionel Messi, 20 Sergio Aguero (6 Lucas Biglia, 87 mins).

ARGENTINA (v Iran): 1 Sergio Romero; 4 Pablo Zabaleta, 17 Federico Fernandez, 2 Ezequiel Garay, 16 Marcos Rojo; 5 Fernando Gago,14 Javier Mascherano, 7 Angel Di Maria (6 Lucas Biglia, 90 + 4 mins); 10 Lionel Messi, 9 Gonzalo Higuain (18 Rodrigo Palacio, 76 mins), 20 Sergio Aguero (22 Ezequiel Lavezzi, 76 mins).

ARGENTINA (v Nigeria): 1 Sergio Romero; 4 Pablo Zabaleta, 17 Federico Fernandez, 2 Ezequiel Garay, 16 Marcos Rojo; 5 Fernando Gago,14 Javier Mascherano; 20 Sergio Aguero (22 Ezequiel Lavezzi, 38 mins), 10 Lionel Messi (19 Ricardo Alvarez, 63 mins), 7 Angel Di Maria; 9 Gonzalo Higuain (6 Lucas Biglia, 90 mins).

ARGENTINA (v Switzerland): 1 Sergio Romero; 4 Pablo Zabaleta, 17 Federico Fernandez, 2 Ezequiel Garay (yc), 16 Marcos Rojo (yc) (23 Jose Basanta, 105 mins); 5 Fernando Gago (6 Lucas Biglia, 120 mins),14 Javier Mascherano; 7 Angel Di Maria (yc); 10 Lionel Messi; 22 Ezequiel Lavezzi (18 Rodrigo Palacio, 74 mins), 9 Gonzalo Higuain.

Marcos Rojo missed Argentina's quarter-final  against Belgium after picking up two yellow cards.

ARGENTINA (v Belgium): 1 Sergio Romero; 4 Pablo Zabaleta, 15 Martin Demichelis,  2 Ezequiel Garay,  23 Jose Basanta; 6 Lucas Biglia (yc),14 Javier Mascherano; 7 Angel Di Maria (8 Enzo Perez, 33 mins), 10 Lionel Messi, 22 Ezequiel Lavezzi (18 Rodrigo Palacio, 71 mins); 9 Gonzalo Higuain (5 Fernando Gago, 81 mins).

ARGENTINA (v Netherlands): 1-Sergio Romero; 4-Pablo Zabaleta, 15-Martin Demichelis (yc), 2-Ezequiel Garay, 16-Marcos Rojo; 14-Javier Mascherano, 6-Lucas Biglia, 8-Enzo Perez (Palacio 81'), 10-Lionel Messi; 22-Ezequiel Lavezzi (Maxi 100'), 9-Gonzalo Higuain (20-Aguero 82')

ARGENTINA (v Germany):

1-Sergio Romero; 4-Pablo Zabaleta, 15-Martin Demichelis, 2-Ezequiel Garay, 16-Marcos Rojo; 14-Javier Mascherano, 6-Lucas Biglia, 8-Enzo Perez (5-Fernando Gago 86'), 10-Lionel Messi; 22-Ezequiel Lavezzi (20- Sergio Aguero 46'), 9-Gonzalo Higuain (18-Rodrigo Palacio 77')

Yellow cards:

Mascherano, Aguero