The qualification of the Argentine National Team to the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup continues to fuel the hopes of fans. After the victory 3-1 over Switzerland, a striking statistical coincidence began to circulate, which has only two other precedents in the history of the World Cups and that, for many fans, adds to the long list of signs of the already classic "I choose to believe".
According to a statistic released by journalist Gastón Trucco, only three of the 74 quarterfinal matches played in the World Cups ended with a score of 3-1. The recent victory of the Albiceleste joined a list consisting solely of Italy against France in 1938 and Brazil against England in 1962.
What is most striking is that in all three cases, the winner came in as the reigning champion, started the match ahead, suffered a partial equalizer, and ended up winning 3-1. Furthermore, both the Italians in '38 and the Brazilians in '62 lifted the World Cup and became two-time champions, something that Argentina, champion in Qatar 2022, could achieve if they win the current edition.
The analysis also found much more specific coincidences between the Argentine victory and those precedents. In the case of the match between Argentina and Switzerland and that of Brazil against England in 1962, the first goal came in a practically identical manner: both originated from a corner kick executed by the great reference of the team: Lionel Messi, in 2026, and Zagallo, in 1962, provided their second assist of that World Cup for Alexis Mac Allister and Garrincha, respectively, to score their first goal in the tournament with a header.
Additionally, in both matches there was an assist from the player wearing the number 21 on his jersey (José López in Argentina and Zagallo in Brazil), another coincidence that fueled comparisons between both campaigns.
Similarities also appear when comparing the Argentine victory with that of Italy over France in 1938. The first goal of the Azzurra came at 9 minutes into the game, while Argentina's was scored at 9 minutes and 35 seconds. The second Italian goal occurred at 6 minutes into the second half and the Albiceleste's came at 6 minutes and 41 seconds into the second extra time.
With these favorable data, Argentina will seek to follow that same path. If they manage to conquer the 2026 World Cup, they will not only successfully defend the title obtained four years ago but will also equal a historic mark reserved for very few teams in the history of football.
