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They can't keep getting away with it. Argentina went into the 84th minute of its World Cup semifinal with England down a goal.
Just like it went into the 78th minute of its round of 16 match in the same building down two goals to Egypt. Like it lost leads in the other two knockout matches it played.
It simply didn't matter.
Enzo Fernandez's long-range shot. Lautaro Martinez's powerful header. And most of all, Lionel Messi's omnipotent left foot.
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They enter the increasingly long list of jaw-dropping Argentina moments at the World Cup as the team enters the World Cup final thanks to a 2-1 win over England.
This has been a hallmark of the Argentina team.
On the ropes against tiny Cape Verde? Keep calm, find Messi, stick with the plan. Down two against Egypt? Don't panic, play the same way you did when it was 0-0. Hit back by Switzerland? Hey, you know what worked before. And, now, down a goal and trying to break down an England defense that clogged the area? Don't change a thing.
England fans, the English press and the England manager himself will never stop asking what might have happened if Thomas Tuchel had been as brave as his colleagues from Cape Verde and Egypt and searched for a second goal to put it away – rather than trying to defend a one-goal lead against Messi and Co.
Already, the Three Lions had been able to make their talent advantage show. The speed in transition, the ability to sneak past right back Nahuel Molina, often stuck on an island with Messi still in the final third trying to pull off an attacking play.
But rather than go to the bench and find a player who could push Argentina to the limit and double the lead, Tuchel went defensive. In for Anthony Gordon came Ezri Konsa. Nico O'Reilly replaced Declan Rice. Even big Dan Burn was called upon as Tuchel looked to make the size advantage work out.
It didn't work for England any better than it did for Cape Verde, Egypt, Switzerland and the other teams the Scaloneta has left in its wake on the way to the final.
Setting up a shooting gallery for history's greatest left-footed attacker meant Messi was generally free to tee up opportunities, finding Fernandez at the top of the box, where he already had been given an opportunity to measure up a long-range shot. He wasn't going to miss twice.
Just as the first goal against Egypt in Atlanta had a feeling of destiny, the personnel on the field meant it was going to be difficult for England to do anything other than hold on and pray.
The prayers went unanswered, as the closest thing Argentina has had to a mortal god since Diego Maradona went to work. The 39-year-old Messi put his cross in for Lautaro Martinez and it was the Inter forward nodding it in. Extra time? Not necessary. This Argentina team would do it in 90 minutes.
Another suffered knockout game that necessitated a hectic fightback, but something that has become a trademark of this Argentina team, whether they want it or not.
Argentina can't keep getting away with this - except the Albiceleste only need to do it one more time to defend their title and lift the World Cup once again.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: World Cup team of destiny? Messi's Argentina makes impossible look easy
Continue reading...
Just like it went into the 78th minute of its round of 16 match in the same building down two goals to Egypt. Like it lost leads in the other two knockout matches it played.
It simply didn't matter.
Enzo Fernandez's long-range shot. Lautaro Martinez's powerful header. And most of all, Lionel Messi's omnipotent left foot.
Buy World Cup final tickets!
They enter the increasingly long list of jaw-dropping Argentina moments at the World Cup as the team enters the World Cup final thanks to a 2-1 win over England.
This has been a hallmark of the Argentina team.
On the ropes against tiny Cape Verde? Keep calm, find Messi, stick with the plan. Down two against Egypt? Don't panic, play the same way you did when it was 0-0. Hit back by Switzerland? Hey, you know what worked before. And, now, down a goal and trying to break down an England defense that clogged the area? Don't change a thing.
England fans, the English press and the England manager himself will never stop asking what might have happened if Thomas Tuchel had been as brave as his colleagues from Cape Verde and Egypt and searched for a second goal to put it away – rather than trying to defend a one-goal lead against Messi and Co.
Already, the Three Lions had been able to make their talent advantage show. The speed in transition, the ability to sneak past right back Nahuel Molina, often stuck on an island with Messi still in the final third trying to pull off an attacking play.
But rather than go to the bench and find a player who could push Argentina to the limit and double the lead, Tuchel went defensive. In for Anthony Gordon came Ezri Konsa. Nico O'Reilly replaced Declan Rice. Even big Dan Burn was called upon as Tuchel looked to make the size advantage work out.
It didn't work for England any better than it did for Cape Verde, Egypt, Switzerland and the other teams the Scaloneta has left in its wake on the way to the final.
Setting up a shooting gallery for history's greatest left-footed attacker meant Messi was generally free to tee up opportunities, finding Fernandez at the top of the box, where he already had been given an opportunity to measure up a long-range shot. He wasn't going to miss twice.
Just as the first goal against Egypt in Atlanta had a feeling of destiny, the personnel on the field meant it was going to be difficult for England to do anything other than hold on and pray.
The prayers went unanswered, as the closest thing Argentina has had to a mortal god since Diego Maradona went to work. The 39-year-old Messi put his cross in for Lautaro Martinez and it was the Inter forward nodding it in. Extra time? Not necessary. This Argentina team would do it in 90 minutes.
Another suffered knockout game that necessitated a hectic fightback, but something that has become a trademark of this Argentina team, whether they want it or not.
Argentina can't keep getting away with this - except the Albiceleste only need to do it one more time to defend their title and lift the World Cup once again.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: World Cup team of destiny? Messi's Argentina makes impossible look easy
Continue reading...
