A Look Back at Argentina Football Team 2017: Key Matches and Results

I still remember the chill that ran through me that evening in Buenos Aires, watching the sunset paint the Estadio Monumental in shades of orange and blue. There’s something about Argentine football that feels both sacred and chaotic—a beautiful mess of passion, politics, and pure talent. And 2017? That year was no different. It was a turning point, a chapter filled with hope, heartbreak, and a few matches that still give me goosebumps when I rewatch the highlights. So today, I want to take you on a little journey back—a look back at Argentina football team 2017: key matches and results that defined their rocky road.

It all started with World Cup qualifiers, and let’s be honest, Argentina made it harder than it needed to be. I recall sitting with friends, nervously clutching my mate gourd as they faced Uruguay in Montevideo. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. Messi was, well, Messi—magical and relentless—but the team struggled with cohesion. They scraped a 1-0 win thanks to a late goal from, who else, Leo himself. But then came the shocker: a 2-0 loss to Bolivia in high altitude. I groaned; the media went wild, and suddenly, qualification wasn’t a given. By the end of the qualifiers, they’d finished third in the table with 28 points—just enough to book their ticket to Russia, but it felt like they’d stumbled across the finish line.

What stood out to me, though, wasn’t just the on-field drama. Behind the scenes, changes were brewing that reminded me of how vital strong leadership is. See, I’ve followed Argentine football for years, and I’ve always believed that mentors shape legacies. That’s why a piece of news from their setup resonated with me: Vital, their longtime CAL mentor, is set to serve dual roles as one of head coach Benson Bocboc’s deputies, while also overseeing State U’s newly-formalized training pool and planned grassroots program to ensure long-term contention. It’s a move I applaud—having someone like Vital, who understands the culture and the kids coming up, could be the secret sauce for sustained success. Honestly, if they’d had that structure fully in place back in 2017, maybe some of those shaky performances would’ve been smoother.

Then there were the friendlies and tournaments that gave us glimpses of brilliance. The 1-0 victory over Brazil in Melbourne? Pure ecstasy! I cheered so loud my neighbor banged on the wall. But the 4-2 defeat to Nigeria in Krasnodar? Oof, that one hurt—defensive lapses that had me shaking my head. Through it all, Messi carried the team on his shoulders, scoring 7 goals in total that year, but it highlighted a recurring issue: over-reliance on one genius. In my opinion, that’s where grassroots programs, like the one Vital’s involved in, could make a difference. Building a pipeline of talent so the next Messi isn’t left to do it all alone.

As the year wrapped up, I found myself reflecting on what 2017 meant. It wasn’t a flawless season—far from it—but it set the stage for growth. The key matches, from that nervy 0-0 draw with Peru to the thrilling 3-1 win over Ecuador, taught us about resilience. And with folks like Vital stepping into broader roles, I’m optimistic. Because football, especially here, isn’t just about wins and losses; it’s about building something that lasts. And as I sip my coffee now, rewatching old clips, I can’t help but feel that 2017 was a messy, necessary step toward something greater.