Argentina vs Ecuador , World Cup 2018 qualifier , last game!

All 3 finishes were so great. The first for the pressure, the second for the accuracy, and the third for the sublime.

 

OMG I love it!

 

Messi GOAT

This was a Final tonight IMO. Sure there's no trophy but perhaps it can help with that mental block somewhat.

 

From this article:

Messi dragged his team to the World Cup on his own, or at least as much as any individual ever can in a team game...

In doing so, the great man did not just save his country. He also ensured that the national team’s wretched performances beyond his individual striving did not drag down his legacy, did not deny him a place on football’s greatest stage while still on his greatest level. Instead, their atrocious form only burnished that legacy, because he defied it...

There was also something else happening. After so many games when it looked like Messi was trying to be too responsible in the use of his quality, too constrained, too much of a team player only to see that team misfire, it was as if he just decided to distill all that abundant talent and make it happen himself. He drove forward and hammered the ball into the roof of the net. In doing so, he also replicated another Argentine legend other than Maradona, and showed another ability. This was a finish reminiscent of Gabriel Batistuta...

His country are in the World Cup because of him, and no player has ever been able to say that with such authority, with such genuine truth.

..
From another blog/article:

Lionel Messi, with the hopes of a football crazed nation on his shoulders and the studs of a negative Ecuadorian side in his shins, scored an unfathomable hat trick to send Argentina to the World Cup. What else do you want to hear? What else do you want to know? The greatest player of all-time, the most mesmerizing athlete of all-time, accomplished what Diego Maradona never had to achieve when surrounded by a who’s who of defenders, midfielders and attackers that all consistently shown when wearing the colors of La Albiceleste, and Messi did it for, I don’t know, the fifth, sixth or tenth time now?

Why am I writing like I’m trying to prove something to someone? If you don’t comprehend the almost unfathomable greatness of Messi, but clearly you should because it’s comprehensible, you’re impossible. Watch videos of Maradona’s triumphs with Argentina, check out what Pele did with Brazil. It won’t hurt you, it’ll only help you to understand that which is Messi.

He’s the be all, end all with regards to footballing greatness. I love a good Devil’s Advocate more than most, but just save it for now — it’s entirely inappropriate. Messi is the quintessential summation of why we do football. He's the reason for all of this...

by
Connor Fleming October 10, 2017

 

Agree with all of this SO MUCH

 

Agree with everything, especially about the tackling and hard fouling but we cannot let anxiety be an excuse. That is often what separates the men from the boys. We hope to have many more anxious matches in 2018.

 

Well... that was stressful. unable to avoid the game, was lighting the coals for the steaks swilling a nice Uco Valley Malbec when Ecuador scored. Despondent in my backyard, but.. that really seemed to awaken Argentina, almost settle them down, oddly enough. From that point forward, they owned the ball and the match. Pulga and DiMaria just started to click like they used to, and it was all downhill from there.

Quick hits because I am hammered and need to drink gallons of water and hit the sack.

Sampa got it right with the lineup. Today, he seemed to tactically have it down. No criticisms of him, even with subs, he was letting the horses ride, and they rode well. Got Messi dialed in with a false/decoy 9. That being attention seeking Benedetto..

Benedetto did a lot of running, almost seemed the diversion for the ACTUAL center forward, Pulga. He was IMO the very effective decoy Sampa perhaps asked him to be. he helped create more space for Messi by conscientiously getting the F out of the way. That was a big non statistical contribution.

Say what you will about Biglia/Masch, but the old fellas threw it out there defensively when needed. they broke up countless plays. Not as swift as in earlier years (a common lament for all of us} nonetheless they were solid when it mattered - stopping Ecuadorian advances.

Except for the initial onslaught, thought the back played very well, no real danger for Romero. Anyone have a defensive gaffe after the 1st 10 minutes? Solid, nondescript. I'll take it.

I am biased, Rosarino descended Newell's guy, but Messi balled it up today, really REALLY took the sword and led the charge as I have , honestly, never seen him do before in the Albiceleste. Very happy for him that he answered so emphatically under the incomprehensible weight of expectation. The guy who gets incredibly venomous flack and he shoved it up everyone/s ass. Sure they're happily taking it.

Party like a Banega tonight, this was a game to survive and win, nothing else.

Felicidades chicos, estamos en el baile

 

So what'd ya think?

 

Argentina comes through, really outstanding efforts by Messi, DiMaria, Benedetto, Perez and Acuna. The three-man defensive line is still shaky, maybe bringing in Fazio or Musacchio for Mascherano could help.

Loads of criticism for Benedetto, but he has been Messi's best partner since Aguero back in the first half of the WC14 qualifiers. Also happy to see Paredes get some playing time, hopefully will earn a starting spot by next summer.

Did the Ecuadorean defense look too slow in marking Messi? It looked all too easy especially in getting off that final shot on goal.

 

Benedetto was actually really good today. Its great that he can create space as we saw last time, but if he has no finish .........

Hopefully there will be a bunch of friendlies to figure out whose the main no.9.

 

Messi single handedly took ARG to the WC.

Lets never forget that

 

What a day guys , its been a roller coster ride for all of us. But we finally made it.
couldnt control my tear after messi scored second one.

Vamos vamos carajo

 

By the way, lost in all this, was Paredes beautiful dribble run and wonderful reverse ball to Icardi in the last minute.

Beautiful to see such vision from anyone other than Messi.

 

Im optimistic like you regarding the wc but that stuff about the final third actually tends to be even worse at the WC. Specially at group stage. Just remember Bosnia and Irán...

 

On a lighter note