Bad sign when the clock doesn’t seem to tick. The match, far from being dynamic, was a festival of missteps, inaccuracies and rushes. Australia knew they were inferior to Argentina and tried to impose their approach. Turn the match into a very physical duel. In defense, the team aussie it was like a rock, huddled and tidy. In attack, it was all balls hanging in the area to see if anyone could pick them up. In between, Messi was trying to undo the knot all by himself. He would attack through the middle and look to the wings to look for fellow travelers. But when the ball returned to their feet, again the Australian defense was like a double-decker bus.
Anxiety was taking over Argentina, victim of that old trick, thinking that if the opponent has no name it will be an affordable team. Without taking into account that the team aussie added the same victories in the group stage as thealbiceleste. Things were not going well for Scaloni’s side, who were trying to speed up the game and in reality were only losing more balls in the build-up phase. Meanwhile, Australia continued with its model. Getting to the opponent’s area as quickly as possible, even if there was no one there to finish the job. If the South Americans are in the quarters it is because the rival lacks individuality, technique and precision in passing and finishing. And, of course, because they have Messi.
Messi appears to undo us against Australia
The 10, who else, opened the scoring. And he did, again, in a move that seemed destined to end nowhere. A lateral foul that the defender aussie he didn’t exactly refuse well. An inside ball that Otamendi controlled poorly. But Messi was passing by. More alive than anyone, he took the ball and put it on his left foot. He hardly had time to load his leg. He didn’t need it either. He struck with more precision than force, as if he were one putt of golf, surprising goalkeeper Ryan.
Australia was neither looking at the scoreboard nor looking at the clock. It didn’t matter to him whether he started losing or started winning. Because with only one goal down, he knew that if he didn’t lose his nerve, he could find the scratch at any moment to equalize. Argentina was about to take the bait. She was obsessed with deciding the game before the break rather than managing the score. Unnecessary physical wear and tear that could have cost him dearly had it not been for the goalkeeper’s gift, who made a mess with the ball at his feet and ended up giving it to Julián Álvarez.
The ghosts are back for Argentina
It was 2 to 0. There was half an hour left. Argentina had done it and now the Australians were taking a step forward. But Messi’s men did not know how to finish the job despite having, now yes, many chances. And of course Until the ghosts appeared. In a move that was going nowhere, Goodwin kicked to break. The ball was going outside but it hit Enzo Fernández’s face and went in. It was 2 to 1. All of a sudden, the legs of the South Americans began to tremble, perhaps thinking of that game they lost against Saudi Arabia.
The end was chaotic. Long balls and chances for everyone. Above all, for an Argentina that continued to play hastily and revolutionized. Lautaro had no aim and in the end, at the last breath, goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez had to appear to save two very clear chances. The last, at 96. Argentina is narrowly fourth.
