World Cup

De Paul: "It's harder to win after winning" before the

14 July 2026·5 min read·Elena Gómez
De Paul: "It's harder to win after winning" before the

Rodrigo De Paul has stressed that the challenge of defending the crown will be tougher before Argentina face England in the semifinal of the World Cup 2026, a match that will measure the endurance of the champions.

De Paul: “Mas mahirap manalo pagkatapos nang manalo” bago ang

Ayon sa Mundodeportivo.

Bakit mahalaga ito

Ang pahayag ni Rodrigo De Paul ay naglalarawan ng tunay na hamon na hinaharap ng Argentina bilang defending champions sa World Cup 2026. Habang ang koponan ay nagtatangkang ipagtanggol ang kanilang titulo, ang pressure at mga inaasahan mula sa mga kalaban ay tumataas, na nagiging sanhi ng mas mahigpit na laban. Ang kanilang karanasan mula sa Qatar 2022 ay maaaring maging susi, ngunit ang bawat pagkakamali sa knockout stage ay maaaring magdulot ng malubhang kahihinatnan.

Key Points

  • De Paul: “It's harder to win after winning” before.
  • Rodrigo De Paul insists that it will be more difficult to repeat the victory as Argentina, defending champions from Qatar 2022, prepares for the semifinal against England in the World Cup 2026.
  • Rodrigo De Paul remains central to Argentina's plans.
Rodrigo De Paul, Argentina's midfielder, emphasized that "it is more difficult to win after winning," hinting at the weight of the challenge to defend the crown again at the World Cup 2026. He made the statement on the eve of the semifinal against England—a classic clash that is expected to be heavy on rhythm, physicality, and discipline in the middle. As part of the midfield backbone, De Paul has been one of the tone setters for the Albiceleste's campaign. His point: when you're the champion, all opponents level up—more prepared, more determined, and more keen on learning tactics. At World Cup level, the margins are small and every match is tight; any mistake can have huge consequences. From the peak at Qatar 2022, Argentina bring with them the experience and confidence of being the reigning champions, but also with added pressure and a target at the back. In the knockout game, space is tight, time slows down, and every decision is critical—that's the essence of what De Paul said: the repetition of victory is more difficult than the first climb to the top.
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They will face England, a team that is structurally sound and known for speed in transition and ferocity in set pieces. Central control—cutting passing lanes, pressing discipline, and smart ball handling—will be the first battle before finding an opening to the goal. For Argentina, the rhythm in the midfield and the right distance between the lines is the key so that England cannot open up at the back. This edition of the World Cup has added context: an expanded format with 48 teams and three host countries (United States, Canada, and Mexico). The journey is longer, the accumulation of minutes is more intense, and there are more battles to go through to get to the final stage—all this makes the test of whoever wants to reign again difficult. Successful World Cup title defenses are historically rare; only a few have repeated back-to-back. So De Paul's message fits the situation: Argentina need the perfect balance of perseverance, tactical discipline and renewed appetite to face England and, with luck, the final step towards reclaiming the championship. As the tension builds heading into the semifinal, the challenge is clear: stay true to identity, adapt to every situation, and succeed in the small details that often decide big matches like this.

What's next

In the upcoming semifinal against England, Argentina will have to show their ability to control the game and respond to the opponent's tactics. This match is not only about physical strength but also mental toughness, which will be crucial in their quest to achieve victory. Looking ahead, the result of this match could set the tone for their World Cup 2026 campaign.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Rodrigo De Paul say about the challenge of being a champion?

Rodrigo De Paul said 'it's harder to win after winning,' showing the weight of the challenge to defend the crown again at the World Cup 2026.

Who will Argentina face in the semifinal?

Argentina will face England in the semifinal.

Why is midfield control important in Argentina's match against England?

Central control is important to cut off passing lanes, maintain pressing discipline, and have smart ball handling, which is key to keep England from opening up.

What are the challenges that come with being the reigning champion?

The challenges that come with being the reigning champion are the added pressure and targets from opponents who are better prepared and more scrutinized in the study of tactics.

What is the new format of the World Cup with respect to this edition?

The new format of the World Cup is expanded with 48 teams and three host countries.

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Mga Madalas na Itanong

Ano ang sinabi ni Rodrigo De Paul tungkol sa hamon ng pagiging kampeon?
Sinabi ni Rodrigo De Paul na 'mas mahirap manalo pagkatapos nang manalo,' na nagpapakita ng bigat ng hamon na muling depensahan ang korona sa World Cup 2026.
Sino ang makakalaban ng Argentina sa semifinal?
Makakalaban ng Argentina sa semifinal ang Inglaterra.
Bakit mahalaga ang kontrol sa gitna sa laban ng Argentina kontra Inglaterra?
Mahalaga ang kontrol sa gitna upang maputol ang passing lanes, mapanatili ang disiplina sa pressing, at magkaroon ng matalinong paghawak sa bola, na susi upang hindi mabuksan ng Inglaterra.
Ano ang mga hamon na dala ng pagiging naghaharing kampeon?
Ang mga hamon na dala ng pagiging naghaharing kampeon ay ang dagdag na pressure at target mula sa mga kalaban na mas handa at mas masusi sa pag-aral ng taktika.
Ano ang bagong format ng World Cup na may kinalaman sa edisyong ito?
Ang bagong format ng World Cup ay pinalawak na may 48 koponan at tatlong bansang host.
What happened in this story?
De Paul: “Mas mahirap manalo pagkatapos nang manalo” bago ang summarizes the main development covered in this report.
Who confirmed this news?
See the source attribution in the article for where this report was first published or corroborated.
World Cup 2026ArgentinaInglaterraRodrigo De Paul
https://azkalsgoal.com/en/news/de-paul-mas-mahirap-manalo-pagkatapos-nang-manalo-bago-ang-semifinal-ng-argentin

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