The Argentine illusion: a quarter final is coming

It is the miraculous cross between Masche and Robben, it is “today you become a hero”, it is Chiquito’s saves, it is Maxi’s suspenseful definition, it is Leo’s disarmed face on the verge of crying in the final run, it is the tears of all Argentines. Yes, that orange shirt that will be in front today generates a special tingle, the memory of the last great emotion of the Selection in a World Cup, the ticket to a final 28 years later. Believe or burst, this team that also commands Messi He comes from breaking another streak of 28 years, the one that ended with the consecration in the Maracana.

For this reason, the illusion is similar, it is just as gigantic. For this reason, there is a dream, the same dream: go to play the seven games of another world. From this World Cup… This crossing, before the Netherlands, now the Netherlands, always had the smell of the end. Perhaps because of the memory of 1978, the first star embroidered on the shield. Also, due to this last precedent, that of 2014. Now it will be for the quarterfinals, as in 1998, when Bergkamp stopped the momentum of a team that was going from meyou love us. The pike is latent. Argentina can take revenge on that instance. His rival will seek to do so on the basis of the last time, which also had Louis Van Gaal as DT, to add more seasoning to this story.

The point is that after recovering from the blow of the debut, after having his best performance against Poland, after a victory suffered against Australia, the American champion wants to get into the top four teams on the planet. Being there again, at the top of world football and, perhaps best of all: giving Messi the opportunity to play for a ticket to another final, giving him that chance for revenge, just in what could be his last World Cup .

In principle, to achieve this, Scaloni could even have his top formation. It is true that he has touched De Paul (fatigue in the right hamstring, without serious muscle injury) and Di María (returning from a strained right quadriceps) and that he will have to evaluate if it is convenient to put the two together like this, without being 100 %. But for now, the best potential will be at the disposal of DT, who yesterday tried two team options: one with a line of five, which had Lisandro and not Fideo, a way of mirroring the 5-2-3 that raises Van Gaal; and another with the traditional 4-3-1-2 that included the man from Juve. An asterisk is worth here for both schemes: if Rodrigo does not wake up today at his peak, he could well be replaced by his friend Paredes.

But beyond training, there is a spiritual strength that continues to be the biggest secret to the success of this Selection. A team that is committed to the cause, united like few others, one for all and all for one, which also invites us to think that this other world dream is possible. There is a phrase that was born in the note that olé He did with Lionel Scaloni that was replicated in each of the players, even in this instance. “Let people rest assured that we are not going to leave them stranded.”

And the fans believe. To the point that this Thursday, as in all the previous ones, there was another flag in Souq Waqif and this Friday another stadium dressed in light blue and white is expected, as it has been happening in this World Cup. The game will be at Lusail, the one with the slap in the debut, also the one of recovery against Mexico, the scene where the World Cup final will be played, perhaps another sign to hold on tight.

There is so much at stake in the Argentine afternoon of this December 9 that Scaloni’s team will take the field knowing the result of Brazil-Croatia. In other words, he will know beforehand if Canarinha will be his next rival or not if he classifies to the semifinal. Therefore, it will also be a condiment that will play at the head of the team and of all Argentines. A classic in that instance was never played in the history of the World Cups.

Qatar 2022 already had a Masche-style crossing: that of Lisandro to Behich from Australia. He already had a spectacular save from Dibu a lo Chiquito: also against the Australians. He already had a Maxi-style goal (but against Mexico) from Enzo. And he already had a Messi with his mouth open, celebrating like crazy with his teammates. Any association with an orange shirt in front invites illusion. Impossible not to climb…