On Friday, Argentina beat the Netherlands, albeit through a penalty shootout, to reach the semi-final of the FIFA World Cup 2022 which is being played in Qatar this year. Next, they will be facing Croatia for the mush-coveted spot in the finals.

Die-hard Argentina fans would know that the country has won two World Cups, the first one in 1978 and the next one in 1986. three times they have been the runner-up, which happened in the years 1930, 1990 and 2014 respectively. The side secured 48 victories in 84 matches in total spread across 18 World Cup tournaments. 

Argentina has also won the Copa América 15 times, the highest amount, tied with Uruguay. Here are a few more interesting facts about the history that Argentina has with FIFA World Cup:

Argentina has never lost a semi-final 

The country holds the record of never having lost a semi-final match in the tournament. They reached the penultimate game in the tournament a total of five times. Each time, they progressed to the final. 

Argentina’s biggest rival in the finals has been Germany

Argentina has lost to Germany twice in finals out of the three times that they have been defeated at the final level. Incidentally in this regard, they are just behind Germany which has four final defeats to their name.

Argentina won the most penalty shootouts

Argentina holds the record of winning the most penalty shootouts of any side in World Cup history, which is 5 wins out of 6. So far they have had to take penalties twice in 1990, and once each in 1998, 2006, 2014, and 2022 respectively. 

Lionel Messi will match Gabriel Batistuta’s goal record with another goal 

Messi is looking to equal Gabriel Batistuta’s record at the tournament, following his first goal in the knockout stages of a World Cup last time out. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has nine goals across five tournaments and is looking to match and surpass Batistuta’s national record of 10 goals.

Argentina has only missed 4 World Cups

It has only missed four of the World Cups, being behind only Brazil and Germany in the number of appearances.