Argentina go through as Belgium is Found Wanting

 

by Satish Sekar © Satish Sekar (July 5^th 2014)

Higuaín Shines

Argentina reached the semi-final of Brasilʼs World Cup with an efficient 1-0 victory over Marc Wilmotsʼ young Belgium side making their first appearance in the World Cup Finals since 2002 courtesy of Gonzalo Higuaínʼs excellent 8^th minute strike. The build up was fortunate – the finish masterful. After twisting and turning Lionel Messi fed Real Madridʼs Ángel di María on the right.

Di María tried to put Manchester Cityʼs Pablo Zabaleta through on the overlap and was fortunate that a massive deflection off Jan Vertonghen took it into the path of Higuaín. The Napoli striker deserves all the credit for the goal which turned out to be the historic winner. Higuaín had been distinctly underwhelming in the tournament previously.

This was his first goal – an instinctive shot to goal-keeper Thibaut Courtoisʼ right. The Belgian keeper who had never tasted defeat for his country until this afternoon could do nothing about it. It proved enough to set up a semi-final clash against either the Netherlands or surprise package Costa Rica who meet tonight. Higuaínʼs winner was the first time that Argentina had reached the semi-final in normal time since Diego Maradonaʼs prime.

Fear

It took Wilmotsʼ side over 40 minutes to fashion their best opportunity. Vertonghen was released on the left by Chelseaʼs Eden Hazard. His cross deserved a better header than Evertonʼs Kevin Mirallas provided. Sergio Romero was not required to make a save. Fifteen minutes earlier VfL Wolfsburgʼs Kevin de Bruyne at least forced Monacoʼs reserve goal-keeper Sergio Romero to make a save, but it was a long range effort that didnʼt seriously test the keeper. The rebound eluded Lille teenager Divock Origi – Romelu Lukaku remained on the bench despite finding form against the USA.

Di María was unable to continue after just over half an hour. He may be out of the tournament. Messi had yet to shine. After 38 minutes Messi was felled by Manchester United misfit Marouane Fellainiʼs persistent fouling. He picked himself up to take the free-kick, but Courtois, whose future will be resolved after the World Cup was not required to make a save.

Messi had a chance to put Belgium away in added time when put through by substitute Fernando Gago. With just Courtois to beat Messi tried to caress it past the La Liga winner with the outside of his foot, but Courtois saved well to keep Belgium in contention – just.

Officiating

Less than ten minutes into the second half the largely ineffective Hazard was fortunate that he only received a yellow card for a high tackle on Lazioʼs Lucas Biglia.

Two minutes later Enzo Pérez broke on the right wing before passing to Higuaín who blazed a trail through the Belgian defence, nutmegging Kompany before unleashing a powerful shot that not even Courtois could keep out. Fortunately for him it hit the crossbar and bounced over. Belgium had little choice, but to attack as time began to ebb. Fellaini headed Vertonghenʼs excellent cross over with an hour gone.

Shortly afterwards Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli initially gave a corner to Belgium, but after consulting his assistant changed his mind and gave a free-kick against Fellaini for fouling Ezequiel Garay. Despite this, Rizzoliʼs performance was a lesson for other referees as he kept control without showing undue leniency – apart from Hazardʼs offence – or it ever threatening to become a card-fest.

End-Game

Belgium had to press harder for an equaliser, but their attacks lacked quality. It wasnʼt until added time that they seriously threatened and even then Romero was not called into action. Their last attempt was also their best, but it came after Messi should have ended the small chance that they had.

In the centre of Argentinaʼs half Zenit Saint Petersburgʼs Axel Witsel found Mertens to his left. Mertens played it forward to Lukaku. The Chelsea striker squared it, but Garay snubbed out the danger and it eventually broke to Witsel who shot over from 23 yards. It was their last chance. Argentina were through to face either the Netherlands or surprise package Costa Rica.

It was the first time in almost a quarter of a century that Argentina had reached the semi-final of the World Cup in normal time.

 

Argentina Scrape Past Switzerland

 

by Satish Sekar © Satish Sekar (July 1^st 2014)

Late Show

Real Madridʼs Ángel di María Hernández had an awful match by his standards, missing chances and wasting possession several times, yet with just two minutes of extra time remaining he scored the winning goal. Lionel Messi was named man of the match, but did little to justify it. This was a poor match, although Ottmar Hitzfeldʼs tactics canʼt be faulted.

After being mauled by France, Hitzfeld chose to keep things tight and frustrate Messi and co. It almost worked. With less than three minutes of extra time remaining Rodrigo Palacio passed to Messi in the centre. He ran towards the area before slipping it to di María on the right. The Real Madrid man shot across the keeper to break Swiss hearts.

But they almost responded. Ricardo Rodríguez Arayaʼs corner found its way to Bayern Münchenʼs Xherdan Shaqiri on the other wing. Napoliʼs Blerim Džemailiʼs last minute header hit the post with Argentinaʼs keeper Sergio Romero beaten. It rebounded onto Džemailiʼs knee and went wide. Shortly afterwards with the Swiss keeper Diego Benaglio trying to find an equaliser di María tried an audacious effort from just inside his own half. It went just wide.

Poor

The first half had little to recommend it. Di María was repeatedly fouled. The shooting was wayward. Sergio Romero saved with his legs from Granit Xhaka after 25 minutes. Ten minutes later Swedish referee Jonas Eriksson decided that Xhakaʼs awful tackle on Ezequiel Lavezzi deserved a booking – it did.

Argentina lacked final product with di María losing possession almost 40 times in normal time, but Switzerlandʼs Josip Drmić wasted the best opportunity of the 90 minutes chipping a stranded Romero. He made such a hash of his lob that Romero caught easily. The keeper stood rooted in no-manʼs land. Drmić should have scored easily.

Switzerland invited Argentina to break them down – a task that should have been against ten men as two minutes into the second half Xhaka clattered di María. It should have been his second yellow card and therefore a red card, but Eriksson pulled play back to deny the advantage to Argentina without showing a card.

Argentina created chances for substitute Rodrigo Palacio almost as soon as he came on, but he headed wide. Higuaín had another off day. Di María was having a shocking game and Messi despite his skill could not find a way past Diego Benaglio, but for all his trick and a sumptuous volley that just cleared the bar with time running out he found the key to unlock a stubborn Swiss team with penalties looming.

Three minutes into the second half of extra time di María found his range drawing a tip over from Benaglio from his 20 yard effort. Argentina will play far better and lose, but Alejandro Sabella wonʼt care. His team are in the last eight without playing well or Messi scoring. Meanwhile, Hitzfeld has retired.

 

Messi Shines as Argentina Top Group

by Satish Sekar © Satish Sekar (June 25^th 2013)

The Messi Show

Inspired by the great Lionel Messi Argentina beat Nigeria 3-2 to match Colombiaʼs feat in topping their group. Within two minutes Messi opened the scoring, achieving something Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina combined could not – beating the exceptionally gifted Super-Eaglesʼ goal-keeper Vincent Enyeama. Enyeama went two months without conceding a goal in Ligue Un. Just over a minute later CSKA Moscowʼs Ahmed Musa equalised. Michael Babatunde set him up for a splendid goal.

With almost the last kick of the first half Messiʼs second free-kick in quick succession restored Argentinaʼs lead. Up and over the wall it dipped sufficiently to beat Enyeama whose heroics had proved a formidable barrier to Argentinaʼs ambitions. Less than a minute into the second half Musa equalised again. Emmanuel Emenike got the assist.

The winner as it proved to be came shortly afterwards. Paris Saint-Germainʼs Ezequiel Lavezziʼs shot was saved by Enyeama at the expense of a corner. Lavezzi took the corner which glanced off Ezequiel Garay Gonzálezʼ head onto Marcos Rojoʼs knee and in, leaving Enyeama with no chance.

A Formidable Final Barrier

Lilleʼs keeper enhanced his growing reputation with a string of excellent saves. With less than ten minutes played Messi slotted it through for Gonzalo Higuaín, but Enyeama stayed big, forcing Higuaín wide enough to make him put his shot wide of the near post. With quarter of an hour played Sergio Agüeroʼs cross was claimed on the ground by Enyeama at his near post, preventing a tap-in.

Real Madridʼs Ángel di María Hernández had a wonderful match, orchestrating chances and testing Enyeama himself. Just under half an hour into the match di Maríaʼs 23 yard shot was tipped round the post by Enyeama. Chelseaʼs John Mikel Obi was caught in possession by Lavezzi and fouled him. Messiʼs 30 yard free-kick was acrobatically saved by Enyeama, but another free-kick was quickly conceded and Messi gave no chance with that one.

Resolved

Less than 5 minutes into the second half di Maríaʼs shot resulted in Enyeama saving at the expense of the corner that he was unlucky to concede from. Messi put Higuaín through with less than ten second half minutes played, but Enyeama saved again. With just over a quarter of an hour remaining Enyeama denied Lavezzi.

Nigeria contributed to an entertaining match. Efe Ambroseʼs effort hit the side-netting and the Super-Eagles, despite losing, showed how to play Argentina. The freak injury to Babatundeʼs arm notwithstanding, it was a good performance in a tournament that has been disappointing for the African nations. Iranʼs defeat by Bosnia-Herzegovina meant the defeat didnʼt matter.

After a string of first round failures Nigeria has reached the last 16. They will most likely play against France who play Ecuador tonight. Honduras and Switzerland still have hopes of qualifying as do Ecuador. It will take a freakish set of results to deny France a place in the last 16.

 

Argentina Beat Plucky Bosnia-Herzegovina – Just

By Satish Sekar © Satish Sekar (June 15^th 2014)

A Date with History

Bosnia-Herzegovina couldnʼt have had a tougher introduction to the grandest stage of world football. After the trauma of the rebirth of their country in the war that saw the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia, football offers a unifying force, especially now. They topped their group with Manchester Cityʼs Edin Džeko playing a starring role. While this team are viewed as heroes in their country Zlatan Ibrahimović is seen as a traitor for choosing Sweden over his Bosnian origins.

Had the mercurial Ibrahimović made a different choice he would have had the chance to settle scores in a different context with former Barçelona team-mate Lionel Messi and his supremely talented Argentinian colleagues. It is a baptism most new-comers to the World Cup could do without. However, they could not be in better hands. They are currently managed by their greatest ever player – also deemed the best ever player Paris Saint-Germain ever had – Safet Sušić, an attacking midfielder of rare ability.

Worst Start

They couldnʼt have had a much worse start, conceding the fastest goal in the tournament so far, as Messiʼs free-kick was headed on by Marcos Rojo after three minutes. It hit the unfortunate defender Sead Kolašinac and deflected off him past Asmir Begović. Since conceding the early goal they held their own. Ten minutes later Sergio Romero was forced into action to deny Izet Harjović when the Bosnian winger beat the off-side trap.

Messi has looked a shadow of the player he is for his club, but his form for Argentina has always been dire at World Cups. He has only scored once in 31 efforts and that was eight years ago in the 6-0 rout of Serbia and Montenegro and that was the sixth when the result was not in doubt.

With chances at a premium Javier Mascherano decided that it was worth taking a pot shot from 30 yards out, but Begović wonʼt be beaten from that distance, especially when itʼs hit straight at him. With less than five minutes of the first half remaining Lazioʼs Senad Lulićʼs header was tipped past the post by Romero. Argentina led, but they barely deserved it.

Cometh the Men

On the hour Messi was gifted possession. He released Sergio Agüero on the right. Agüeroʼs pass for Gonazalo Higuaín was too close to Begović who smothered it. Five minutes earlier Agüero wasted a golden opportunity shooting well over the bar. After a poor night by his high standards Messi reignited Argentina with an excellent finish worthy of the move that created the opportunity.

A one-two with Higuaín carved the Bosnian defence apart after 66 minutes. Messi cut inside and shot from the edge of the area, scoring off Begovićʼs right-hand post. Stoke Cityʼs keeper had no chance – Messi has arrived at the Maracanã and Argentina grow in confidence. Agüero went close again before Mascheranoʼs interception released Messi who ran at the heart of the Bosnian defence before finding Agüero, whose cross was cleared by Emir Spahić at the expense of a corner.

VfB Stuttgartʼs striker Vedad Ibišević wrote his name large in the history of Bosnian sport. He scored his countryʼs first goal in a major finals after 85 minutes. Lulić rampaged down the left flank before a magnificent through ball found Ibišević. Taking nothing away from the Bosnian striker Romero will be disappointed with his effort – it went in off his leg. Argentina held on to win 2-1.