Unlike club football, national teams have limited time to train together, which makes it difficult to develop the same mature systems seen in top clubs. Argentina and Portugal, unlike Germany, Spain, or Italy, cannot build their squads around the core of a single club. This reality places greater emphasis on the coach’s ability to blend individual talents into a cohesive unit. In the fast-paced environment of major international tournaments, squad selection, in-game tactical adjustments, and managing team morale are all crucial to success.

Selecting a strong lineup and inspiring players to sustain peak performance over the course of a month can greatly improve a team’s chances of achieving a strong tournament result. From this perspective, managing a national team is no easy task. Argentina’s current struggles, sitting sixth in the South American qualifiers, have brought heavy criticism toward coach Edgardo Bauza. His tendency to overload the attack when trailing has left the already fragile midfield even more unbalanced. The team’s structure has long been top-heavy, and without a balanced squad, the coach must work harder to maintain stability. Yet Bauza has not impressed in building a cohesive system—the star-studded attack often looks disjointed, with no rhythm or understanding, resulting in scattered, ineffective forward play.

When Argentina’s attacks stall, defensive weaknesses inevitably emerge. Bauza has admitted that “a team that can’t defend will be in big trouble,” yet his defensive setup has failed to inspire confidence. The backline remains shaky, a sharp contrast to the solidity seen under Alejandro Sabella, whose pragmatic approach built a resilient defense and prioritized counter-attacks over relying solely on attacking firepower. That strategy carried Argentina to three straight major finals in recent years, starting with the 2014 World Cup, where they reached the final without conceding a goal in the first three knockout matches. Under Sabella, Lionel Messi produced his first truly dominant performance at a global tournament, winning the World Cup Golden Ball.

Gerardo Martino, Sabella’s successor, faced criticism but still guided Argentina to two Copa América finals. Messi delivered strong performances in both tournaments, though consecutive final losses were bitter. At that stage of a competition, even a superstar like Messi or an experienced manager can find certain factors beyond their control.

In contrast, Portugal’s Euro 2016 triumph showcased the value of Fernando Santos’ tactical discipline. His defense-first, pragmatic approach was instrumental in their success. Across four knockout matches, Portugal conceded only one goal, giving opponents few chances. The logic was simple—if you couldn’t break down Portugal’s defense, you couldn’t beat them in 120 minutes, regardless of how “ugly” or “conservative” their play might seem. From guiding the team through seven straight wins in the qualifiers to adjusting after three group-stage draws, Santos’ tactical decisions were spot on.

Compared to Argentina’s heavy reliance on Messi, Santos has allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to thrive in a more balanced system. This doesn’t mean Portugal can succeed without him—it simply means Ronaldo plays within a structure that doesn’t demand him to carry every burden. For fans who follow football alongside Live Cricket BPL updates, Portugal’s example is a reminder that titles often come from collective discipline rather than pure star power. In the end, a well-drilled unit can outlast even the most talented opponents, and Ronaldo’s comfort in the national setup shows how vital such balance can be. As the Live Cricket BPL season unfolds alongside international football drama, the contrast between Argentina’s struggles and Portugal’s unity remains a telling lesson for any team aiming for glory.