Argentina keeps winning. That much is true. They’re in the World Cup semifinals after a string of exhausting knockout games, and Lionel Scaloni’s squad has shown an almost supernatural knack for scoring late. But there’s a creeping concern that has nothing to do with talent or tactics. It’s about how fast this team moves. Or doesn’t.
FIFA’s tracking data tells a stark story. Argentina ranks 48th out of 48 teams in average player speed this tournament. That’s dead last. They’re also 10th in total sprints, and three of the teams ahead of them have played one fewer match. For a defending champion with serious ambitions, those numbers are worth paying attention to.
Lionel Messi is obviously part of it. He’s 580th in average speed among all players. Cristiano Ronaldo sits at 501st, and most of the guys below them are goalkeepers or center-backs who don’t exactly sprint laps. But the real issue is that nobody else on Argentina is compensating. Jude Bellingham ranks second in total sprints. The first Argentine on that list is Enzo Fernandez, tied for 19th. Twenty players from other teams sit above any Argentine in high-speed running.
Switzerland’s central midfielders, Remo Freuler and Granit Xhaka, have covered more distance than anyone else in the tournament. Alexis Mac Allister is the only Argentine in the top 20 for distance covered. That’s a problem when you’re playing against teams with fresh legs and fast breaks.
Why Argentina’s slow pace matters against England
England comes next, and Thomas Tuchel wants his team to push the tempo. Argentina has looked vulnerable on the counter all tournament. Cape Verde scored from both wings. Egypt found space on the break. Switzerland’s equalizer came after they outflanked Argentina’s crowded middle. The fullbacks get isolated, and there’s not enough recovery speed behind them.
Scaloni brought in Leandro Paredes to add some shielding in midfield, but it didn’t fully solve the issue against Egypt. Even with a man advantage for 60 minutes against Switzerland, Argentina couldn’t turn that edge into goals until extra time. Something about their physical ceiling kept them from dominating.
There are caveats though. England isn’t exactly at peak fitness either. Declan Rice has been dealing with a hamstring issue and illness. Bukayo Saka and Reece James have their own injury histories. John Stones is always a question mark. Both teams played 120 minutes on Saturday. Both have creaked without breaking.
Argentina also happens to field the oldest team in a World Cup quarterfinal since Brazil in 1962. That Brazil team went on to win the whole thing. Scaloni’s side has already proven they can grind out results through sheer will. They’ve scored seven goals after the 78th minute in their last three matches.
They also scored zero headers in Qatar and have three already in 2026, which suggests they’re finding ways to adapt physically even if the speed numbers don’t pop. Maybe the secret really is in the head. But against a fast England team that wants to stretch the field, Argentina’s legs are going to be tested like never before.
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