Lionel Scaloni: The caretaker who became a World Cup winner and facilitator of Messi’s dreams

It was the World Cup of Lionel. That one, obviously, the World Cup-winning captain who got the Golden Ball and the man of the match in five of his seven appearances, the player who scored in every knockout round, with a brace in the final, and the footballer who, for many, sealed his case to be deemed the greatest ever.

But also the other Lionel. The quiet man of Argentinian football, the facilitator of Lionel Messi’s dreams, the caretaker who became a World Cup winner. Lionel Scaloni is the first World Cup-winning manager who has been managed by Alan Pardew. It probably was not the secret of his success but, with after securing Argentina’s first Copa America in 28 years, he now has their first World Cup for 36. He stands alongside Cesar Luis Menotti and Carlos Bilardo though a modest figure argued: “I am not at their level yet.” Perhaps it is because it will take time for him to get used to the idea of Scaloni being a World Cup winner.

Which is not to suggest he is an imposter who fluked his way to glory. A remarkable, ridiculous final could lend itself to many conclusions, and certainly Didier Deschamps altered the game with his substitutions while, but for a brilliant save from Emiliano Martinez to deny Randal Kolo Muani, it would not have got to penalties. Yet Deschamps readily admitted Argentina were the better team for the first 70 minutes. Certainly the Albiceleste appeared more fired-up. Maybe Scaloni outwitted the previous World Cup winner. His side found Messi in space time and again. Their other trump card was the veteran few expected to play.

Game by game, Scaloni has proved he can alter tactics to suit a particular fixture. The 11^th man in his line-up varies according to the opposition. It was a third centre-back against the Netherlands, in Lisandro Martinez; a fourth central midfielder against Croatia and Luka Modric, in Leandro Paredes. Come the World Cup final and the last name on the teamsheet was Angel Di Maria’s. Impeded by injury, the 34-year-old had not started since the group stages. Because of injury, he had missed the 2014 final. Told he was playing an hour-and-a-half before kick-off, finally granted an appearance on this stage, the scorer of last year’s Copa America decider won a penalty and finished a glorious team goal. With 79 minutes gone, choosing Di Maria looked Scaloni’s masterstroke. After Kylian Mbappe’s spectacular intervention, Di Maria was demoted to the rank of a subplot.

But he was a sign Scaloni possesses a sure touch. He had promoted Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez, neither of whom started the tournament in the team. The forward finished with four goals, the midfielder with the award as the tournament’s best young player. His side’s performance in the final was terrific, even if it took penalties to see off France.