Judging from that game (while also taking into account the effects of the humid conditions) a few of our "golden" generation were not really that special in the end. Robert Navarro was infuriating while Pablo Moreno was a little better when he come on. Valera, who is highly touted, was pretty disappointing to me too.
Pedri was the best player in a Spain jersey although his second half kind of fizzled out. You could see his frustrations with the rests lack of linkup play though.
Tactically I think it is amazing that the Spain manager could lineup with a bunch of technically gifted midfielders and attackers, then decide to stick them in a 442 and have them struggle to find passing triangles all match.
On the other side of the pitch you then had Palacios for Argentina go into DMC line to open up passing channels on the defensive exit, then re-appear later in the move at AMC to look for the offensive passes- making almost a satire of our lack of outlets.
Lastly the last 30 minutes was crying for a midfield substitution of the ilk of Ilaix as Argentina continued to grow in their taking over. It was as if Valverde was on the bench. Hopefully he features in the next group games as I think the midfield is going to need him.
Still, both sides should go far in this tournament. But it was certainly an eye opener that Pedri aside (and Ilaix who didn't play) that this generation of Spain is not individually as good as first thought.
