@gz89 @John Akainu I saw a podcast in which they raised an interesting point
There's a difference between being a hunter and being hunted. Argentina were hunters in the last WC and now they are being hunted.
Being the WC champion means everyone would bring their "A game" against you and to knock you out.
Knocking reigning WC champion out has always been a big deal. More so for weaker teams as it amounts to a historical moment for them. They will bring their best to knock WC champions out and we saw that in Argentina knock out matches so far. Verde, Egypt and Swiss played their best.
Argentina realised what's being hunted feels like in their knockout matches. Argentina's "A game" isn't enough anymore. They have to step up because England would come hunting them as well.
"A game" worked for Argentina last WC but time they need "A+ game" against England and in final to win.
It's exactly because of this difference - being a hunter in one WC and if wins then being hunted in the next WC, no one won WC back to back in last 65 years.
What do you guys think about this perspective?