Argentina continues to rely on Lionel Messi but they are also more than the sums of their parts.
At the end of the first period, Lionel Messi’s voice rang across Stadium 974. This landmark venue was built from shipping containers and is located on the outskirts Qatari capital. Hysterical supporters rallied around Argentina’s number 10 and urged Danny Makkelie to award a soft penalty. However, Messi missed the spot but that didn’t bother those in the crowd.
Stadium 974 was awash in blue and white. Everybody had come to witness the legend forward. They had flown from India, Laos, and Hong Kong to cheer on and serenade Messi. Argentina and their number 10, never play an away match at Doha.
Star power is a common theme at this tournament Kylian Mabappe and Neymar draw in fans — but this was different: Messi was one goal away from a premature World Cup exit. Without having been awarded the most coveted prize in football, he would be able to enter the pantheon. This was the danger Argentina faced: the margins of Group D were good.
Fairness aside, Messi’s penalty was during Argentina’s strongest spell of the first period. The South Americans were unable to stop the stubborn Polish team who had a plan of defending and then defending more. Angel Di Maria and Messi attacked simultaneously, but Scaloni’s team failed to make a defense-splitting move. They lacked incisiveness in the last third. A subtle pass never arrived. This was Argentina’s fault, and Messi received the ball.
Polish defense was unable to overcome Di Maria’s dribbling. This tournament saw a lot of goals created by either breaking the lines or playing behind the backline. When Argentina used the latter strategy, Poland started to stretch its defense. This was a slow, flickering Polish team. It was being torn apart in the face of a team that had initially struggled with losing to Saudi Arabia but was now asserting itself with some aggression.
Poland sat too deep and was unable to recover possession, inviting wave after wave of Argentinian assault. They were under siege, and no matter what their formation was often a diabolic 9-1 with star striker Roberto Lewandowski totally isolating the Polish resistance and their resistance would not last. They were so, so poor.
Alexis Mac Allister scored Argentina’s goal within 60 seconds of the end-of-the-game break. Julian Alvarez increased the lead by two goals, but Poland was still certain of a place in the last 16 because they received fewer yellow cards than Mexico. Why did Poland not play? They were so risk-averse that they barely left their own half.
Argentina was irresistible. Messi zigzagged past the helpless and confused Polish players. There was a crackle in every air when Messi touched the ball. Messi and the Argentinians made 812 passes and attempted 25 times, but statistics cannot explain Argentina’s dominance. They played with panache, zeal, and great skill. They wanted to take back control. It was a clear affirmation of the team’s desire for three points.
Argentina’s confidence was restored with this dominant win. South American champions will be able to recall the 1990 World Cup in Italy when they lost against Cameroon. It was a dramatic upset that inspired them to make it to the final. After the Saudi Arabia result, doubts were dispelled by Messi and Co. They still depend on Messi but are also more than the summation of their parts.
While Argentina’s World Cup dream is alive and well, there will be tougher tests than Australia or Poland.
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