Watching how Argentina versus England approached their World Cup semi-final match today took me back to my Health and Physical Education (HPE) classes, where I first came across some popular ideas from Sports Psychology: Playing Not to Lose and Playing to Win.
This well-known phrase is used to describe the contrasting mindset of the sports players or team. But in our everyday conversation of matches, teams are usually described as either defensive or offensive. That does not mean that it is incorrect.
The difference is that, Playing Not to Lose and Playing to Win describes a mental attitude whereas being defensive and offensive are tactical choices. So, there is a subtle difference. For example, a team playing to win often looks offensive, but a team can actually play defensively and while still having the mindset of playing to win.
Playing Not to Lose is the mindset of those who are ahead, at least at that point in the game time. They play so that their current position or outcome (e.g., score) stays unchanged. To do this, tactically, they often show an defensive play, trying to stop other team's chances rather than pushing forward. The team slows the tempo of the game, absorbing pressure from their opponents.
On the other hand, playing to win is the mindset of those who refuse to accept their current position, whether ahead, level, or behind. Such teams play so that the outcome keeps moving in their favour. Tactically, to do this, they often show offensive play, trying to score against the other team from every possible chance. The team maintains or increases the tempo of the game, constantly applying pressure to their opponents.
England: Playing Not to Lose
England was aggressive and dominant for the first half of the match, right up until they took a 1-0 lead. After scoring the goal, the team spent the majority of the remaining time playing not to lose.
The players dropped back. The substitutions made by the coach was visibly defensive by changing those in the defence lines using tall players to control crosses from Argentina. This narrow approach invited pressure from Argentina and ultimately backfired when Argentina capitalised with two late goals to secure a 2-1 victory.
Argentina: Playing to Win
Argentina, by contrast, was Playing to win. Until England’s only goal in the 55 minutes, they had been largely dominated. However, even while trailing, they maintained an aggressive attitude and kept attacking rather than accepting that 1-0 score line. Their persistence in the last minutes of the game, of course assisted by one and only, the Goat Lionel Messi, produced two goals that eventually sealed the match, securing a dramatic comeback and booked a spot in the World Cup final.
Analysing these two teams together, one can easily understand their contrast in stability. England’s mindset was reactive, dictated entirely by the scoreline. By scoring one goal, it was enough to make them defensive. On the other hand, Argentina’s did not change how they played even after conceding. Instead, the scoreline moved their mindset differently.
Fighting.
Levelling.
and then,
Leading.
