Argentina’s fitness alarm—one less rest day than Spain, and two straight extra-time matches

Brothers, the biggest threat in Argentina’s final isn’t tactics, isn’t the lineup—it's fitness.

Spain played one day earlier than Argentina, and all four of their knockout matches were decided within 90 minutes. Argentina, however, fought through two extra-time periods. Against Cape Verde and Switzerland, Argentina played the full 120 minutes. Spain’s semifinal was a comfortable 2-0 win over France, with no experience of a high-intensity, brutal battle the whole way through.

Argentina’s team average age is 28.7 years, which is 2 years higher than Spain’s. Messi is 39, Di María is 38, and Otamendi is 38. Spain’s starting lineup averages only about 26.7 years old. The fitness gap is clearly visible.

But Argentina also has an advantage—squad depth is enough. All 26 players are available, and Scaloni has sufficient substitutes to keep their intensity on the field.

If the match goes beyond 70 minutes, the fitness of Argentina’s veterans will drop, and Spain’s younger players can use possession-based football to wear Argentina down. Fitness—this might be Argentina’s biggest ticking time bomb.

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