Lionel Messi and his Argentina side have lit up this World Cup despite losing the first game to Saudi Arabia. Daley Blind, who was behind Nahuel Molina by a stride, believed he knew what was going to happen. Only by imitating Messi’s action and putting his weight on the incorrect foot was Virgil van Dijk at fault. Despite the fact that he never glanced, Messi knew the reverse ball was in play.
Argentina’s victory in the quarterfinals turned into a dramatic, anxious, fearful, and angry event. Emiliano Martinez had to make two saves on penalty kicks before namesake Lautaro scored the game-winning goal. The amount of emotional energy invested is enormous, spurred on by their massive support. The Lionel Messi goal that proved Argentina can win this World Cup came before all of that, though. The ten men who are ready to do anything and everything to assist one genius seem to get along well with one another.
Despite being 35 years old, Messi’s movement is now hampered even though he can still handle a football like no other player alive. He walks more than half of the time he is on the field. It is no longer true to say that a team made up entirely of Messis would be unbeatable. Running is required. Despite knowing that Messi might not find him, Molina made the run in the hope that he would. Their enthusiasm is driving this team, along with that of Marcos Acuna, the wing-back on the other side who won the penalty from which Messi scored Argentina’s second goal.
When they were no longer able to run, they were replaced by two others who were just as willing. Argentina attempted to go around ahead of Messi while remaining compact behind him. Julian Alvarez, running for two up front, was the epitome of youthful exuberance. Missing the point would be to criticize the other players’ talent.
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