Messi Steps up when Needed the Most | Argentina Has Huge Chance of Topping Group C


What a banger! Messi's celebration after a beautifully placed long-shot goal against Mexico, photo courtesy of Goal.com

That long range shot, outside the box, is probably one of the best goals we will see in this current World Cup edition. If you look at it closely, it was perfectly positioned to look like it's just rolling - No, it was hit by a strong inward force that was hit in a right spot in the ball that made it look like rolling. But mind you, the speed of that ball is too much to handle for Guillermo Ochoa, the famous Mexican stopper.

Argentina has two win their two fixtures against Mexico and Poland after that humiliating defeat against Saudi Arabia. This means that they will have to treat it like a final or a do-or-die match and this is why Messi is one of the greatest, if not the greatest footballer of all time. That goal was an art and there's only one goal that I can say was better than that, that Richarlison's bicycle kick against Serbia.

Messi steps up when the team needs goal and it happened on the 65th minute after that very risky pass of Di Maria from right flank to the middle. Messi, who was just standing outside the box took advantage of the sleeping/delayed defense and stuck at the very last of the right bottom-corner post. It was one hell of a shot! Argentina fans rejoiced the stadium and I bet the whole world was tuck in awe after that spectacular shot.

To be honest, I was really disappointed by their dismal display against Saudi Arabia. So I had to hold my expectations for Argentina to win because I don't wanna mourn watching live. I was not ready to be hurt and that was one of the mistakes I do as a fan. I should've watch the whole game and I'll probably be one of the people who rejoiced that beautiful goal that shocked the world. I am embarrassed because I realized a true fan is there not only during the good times but staying even during the hard times. So from now on, I will keep watching Argentina without any expectation - just here to enjoy the beauty football has to offer.

image.pngGroup C, as it stands with the last match Poland/Argentina & Saudi Arabia / Mexico

Because of the Mexico-Poland tie, it gives Argentina a perfect position to still top the group after the opening defeat. If they can win their match against Poland, this will give them 6 points, with Poland 4 and Mexico 3 (assuming they beat Saudi Arabia). If the Arabians manage to salvage the 3 points against Mexico, I believe it will still be not enough because the way tie-breakers are managed will base on the goal difference, not head-to-head matches between teams. That means Argentina needs to win their group to avoid facing France in the knockout stages. They will possibly face Australia or Denmark (depending on the winner of their fixture) and that is more comfortable for Argentina than France, who really look so deadly in their line up and form.


This team will strive. Argentina celebrates with Messi after assisting that beautifully driven long-range shot, a photo courtesy of Sports Hindu

There's still a lot to happen. Argentina can still be knocked off if they fail to win or at least salvage a point against Poland. Remember that polish team has Lewandowski, who has hurt Messi a lot in the Champions League, facing consecutive defeats. The match against Saudi Arabia was an eye-opener that they do not need to be comfortable of the media attention they are getting but rather be humbled and face every opponent with respect and hunger to win.

What do you think about that match? Was it one of the best moments of this world cup? Tune in for more World Cup updates.

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Messi is an awesome player, even at his age he is very admirable. I believe they can qualify from this group.

Cheers

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It is still not certain as the final game against Poland decides it all. By looking at the standings, they are in a perfect position to top the group or proceed as runner-ups if they manage to win their final match.

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That is why he is the GOAT, Messi is out of this world and the confidence he had going to the match was off the roof, great win for Argentina.

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Arguable one of the greatest, if not the greatest.

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Well, that's called "love is blind." Messi had the third lowest passing accuracy and the highest number of possessions lost, along with the highest foul commitment. Yes, Messi was the man of the match, but the assist? Oh please! And the goal? It was more of a gift. The crowd was the main culprit, as Ochua couldn't save it. Otherwise, a keeper like his cavalier can save those while sleeping.

Messi is undeniably one of the best, but that doesn't mean he always needs to be credited. It was Martinez who deserved all the glory.

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(Edited)

Point understood and there's no wrong in it. There are a number of reasons regarding # of possessions lost and lowest passing accuracy because the man is man-marked. There's no person in the world cup that is more man-marked than Messi.

I wasn't able to watch the full match so I wasn't able to see Martinez performance. But I'm all to be corrected. Just that goal wasn't a gift, it was accurately driven onto the bottom right corner of the post. And the a long-range shot like that is always a banger. The accuracy of getting in even just inside the goal is difficult so it's always pleasing to see long-range shots like that.

It was Messi who scored and chipped it for an assist to Fernandez. That isn't blindness, that is recognition that changed the fate of the game. If Messi was given lots of free space like other players do, I can't imagine how he can do things the way he wants it.

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Praise should be louder than criticism. Messi and Ronaldo are on another level. If someone even breaks their record, they will always be the best players the game has ever seen. What I was trying to say is that they are loved so much that people go unnoticed. Martinez and Di Maria were the best players in that match.

Players like Messi need just a moment to change everything, and that happened. He will be marked and always will be, but it's about overcoming that. To do that, Messi should stay up front more and leave the playmaking to Dybala. Argentina is also lacking firepower.

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Thanks for pointing out, I totally agree that Di Maria and Martinez deserve the recognition too. But most of the fans are too focused on the goal and assist aspect. I like that you pointed this out because this shows you truly understand the game much more than others do. Though I disagree to give the playmaking to Dybala. If you noticed in the Copa America, the attack starts with Messi and usually ends with the attackers. He stretches out to the field just to gain control of the ball and he finds that space of his teammates at an extremely perfect timing. What Messi needs is a midfield that understands it and attackers that have full energy to create aggression.

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"If they can win their match against Poland,"

That's you speaking above and Poland is no mince meat. So it's a tough group for Argentina to say the truth.

However, their supremo Messi is such a strange being and I can't take anything away from him so far. The team better also realise that he can't keep doing it all alone.
I wish them well.

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"can", I used this word because anything can happen in football. No matter how strong this Argentinian squad is, there's no perfect team that exist. South Korea, Japan, and Saudi Arabia has proven in that they can keep up the pace against teams that has $$$ worth of value. So it's very technical to not be so sure about what will happen.

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What are you saying and what am I not saying?

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Let's see if Messi can carry them trough this torunament. I really wish he does, but the state of football is a complete different now. Trougout th epast years I never saw any player carry a team anymore like it was in the 70s or 80s.

Anyways, I really hope Messi can prove us all wrong here :D

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I'm so glad that Argentina still has a good chance to advance. I want to see Messi play some of the tougher teams and give us a great memory of what very well may be his final World Cup.



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I'm with you @daltono and our hopes are starting to live it up. Argentina is in a great position in the playoffs. Australia is a very comfortable opponent. Netherlands on the other hand will be their first tough assignment in this tournament.

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