The Albiceleste – world champions in 1986 but hammered 4-0 by Germany in the quarterfinals of the 2010 soccer showcase – reached the semi-finals of this year’s edition in Brazil.
Mascherano said ahead of their semi-final tie with the Netherlands on Wednesday that once a team reaches the knockout stages, strategies needed to be accompanied by luck to make a winning side.
Argentina had not reached this stage of a Mundial since losing the final against Germany in 1990, and Mascherano believed that lady luck would guide them as they looked to make the most of the position in which they found themselves.
"We have to hold onto the dream because we can take Argentina to a place where we haven’t been before,” said the 30-year-old. “And these opportunities are very rare and we have to take them. This match 24 years ago, which the Argentines played, we were lucky to be part of this milestone – but this increases the expectations of most people. Fate will take care of us as we go for the final.”
Mascherano believed the side that reaches the final, or even wins it, would have to do that by first out-thinking their opponents on the field.
"We have a unique and wonderful opportunity, and we will live with the dream of being able to reach the final,” he said. "These instances are played with heart and soul, but you won’t reach the final if you're not smart enough on tactical issues.”
Post published in: Football