Half an hour had passed since a 0-0 without emotion between Argentina and Australia for the round of 16 of the World Cup in Qatar 2022. The pressure was on but the national team failed to generate a goal play. Until Lionel Messi appeared just to convert; even to fiercely fight a ball and star in a face-off with pure courage.
His match was with Aziz Behich at 33 minutes. The defender of Dundee United Football Club of the Scottish League had the ball when he saw the captain of the staggered. With enormous pressure, the 10 took him very close to the corner to score the ball.
With the two off the field, the game isn’t over. Behich took off the shirt from the Argentine star, who made a gesture to take it off. They were face to face until moments later Polish referee Szymon Marciniak arrived to separate them.
A minute and a half later, after a free kick following a foul on Papu Gómez, the Sevilla player took the rebound, touched with Messi, who played with Alexis Mac Allister. The ball is stopped by Otamendi, who has Leo behind him ready to tackle and shoot out his left foot that becomes the expected 1-0.
With nine goals, the Rosario man was one goal behind Gabriel Batistuta, Argentina’s top scorer at the World Cup (10 between 1994, 1998 and 2002). Just in his 1000th game and his 100th as captain in the national team. Furthermore, he scored his first goal in a decisive match of a World Cup.
Source: Clarin
Jason Root is the go-to source for sports coverage at News Rebeat. With a passion for athletics and an in-depth knowledge of the latest sports trends, Jason provides comprehensive and engaging analysis of the world of sports.