The star was enough for one penalty. There is almost no chance of becoming the greatest!
The first sensation at the championship was not long in coming – on the third game day of the tournament, the Saudi Arabia team won a completely unexpected victory over Argentina (2:1), and even a strong-willed one! An amazing first half from the South Americans, in which an early goal was scored by Lionel Messi, and three more of their goals were canceled due to offsides, predicted an on-duty victory for the blue and white.
However, at the very beginning of the second half, the Saudis began to create a sensation, and even finally approved it. And the anti-hero in this game was the one who, even in the first half, seemed to be confidently moving towards greatness.
Messi, what’s wrong with you?
Brought a goal
Yes, Messi was good in the first half. Realized 11-meter, albeit appointed because of a very dubious foul. Another goal of the captain of the Argentine national team was rightly canceled, but throughout the first 45 minutes, Leo looked pretty good.
But it was after Lionel’s mistake that Argentina conceded the first goal – when receiving a pass in the center of the field, Messi lost the ball, being under the tutelage of two rivals. Abdulela Al-Malki, who picked up the ball, made a cutting pass to Firas Al-Breykan, having issued a perfect two-on-two exit, essentially out of the blue. Al-Breykan corrected the transfer to Saleh Al-Shehri, who hit the gates of the Argentines in the 48th minute. It was the Saudis’ first hit of the match!
And after another 5 minutes, the guys in green T-shirts drove the second one into the opponents’ goal. And then they kept the winning score until the very final whistle. The tragedy for the whole of Argentina happened when it was definitely not expected. But where was Messi again when his team was hopelessly on fire?
Evaporated again
The endless praises to Messi and the Argentina national team before the World Cup, apparently, played against Leo himself and his team. Whatever the players of the Argentine national team are professionals, always emphasizing the importance of each game, it is easy to guess that even before entering the field they had already “won”. However, the Saudis had a different opinion on this matter.
Once again, Messi demonstrated that he is able to enchant only with a comfortable development of the situation for his team. As soon as the situation does not develop in the best way, in most cases Leo practically dissolves on the field. Yes, the captain of the Argentines does not enter the field alone, and without a good game of partners it is very difficult to drag the team. But when else to do it, if not at the last world championship in his career! When you have almost a whole half to correct the situation, and your opponents have one of the outsiders of the tournament?
And that is why the football god in Argentina will always be considered not Messi, but Diego Maradona. The great Armando always dragged his team, pulled out the hardest matches on character and skill at two World Cups in a row, scored the most important goals! You can see this in the performance of Lionel in single matches, and most often in meaningless ones. In addition to Maradona, Messi is inferior to Cristiano Ronaldo. He constantly alone drags a much more modest composition of Portugal. And does not disappear from the field when the team needs it.
Yes, Leo definitely has a chance to improve. Matches with Mexico and Poland are a great opportunity for Messi to show the whole world if he is capable of strong-willed play. Lionel will no longer have other opportunities to confirm his claims to greatness.
