Messi and his albiceleste smile. Photo Juano Tesone / Special correspondent – CLARIN
The disappointment fans could have had in the precedent when it was confirmed Leone Messi it wouldn’t have been an appetizer before Jamaica, vanished when Rosario jumped on the pitch in the 10th minute of the second half. It took just over half an hour to be “10”. again the figure of the Selection which in New Jersey won 3-0 with two of his goals at the end of the preparation before the World Cup. Thus, Leo reached the 90 goals in 164 presentations with his country (100 wins) and was in Podium of the best scorers of all time nationwide behind the Iranian wings come on (109) and from Cristiano Rinaldo (117). And Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina is getting longer is undefeated in 35 games and matched the line Brazil Y Spain (the record is Italy with 37).
Lionel Andrés preferred to measure up his efforts because he knows that the calendar is tight and does not want to take any risks thinking about Doha. Without any physical problem (not even a cold as it was circulating), he simply contemplated with the DT the possibility of sitting on the bench. But walked in and gave everyone another party with his left foot.
Play without Messi. What a strange thing for the national team, given that it was certainly not the second time in the Scaloni cycle. But welcome to the rehearsal of the last chance in November. With the captain on the bench so as not to overload in a difficult season, Argentina has kept its forms. What Lionel Scaloni always repeats is true: this team already knows what they play for and Even if the names change, their style doesn’t change. He always maintains his aggressive intensity, that of going to the top in every game and trying to score as fast as possible.
Angelo Di Maria he took the baton from the right in a scored 4-3-3, which he had Julian Alvarez as a replacement for Leo, but lying on the far left of the attack, with Lautaro Martinez in the middle. Fideo and his performance dominated the scene in an explosion of pure rhythm. And the first was lost after five minutes: Julián stole Javaian Brown and Di María made the Jamaican goalkeeper shine andre blake.
Shortly after the break would come in favor of the Biancocelesti, who patiently looked for spaces to open the opposing defense closed. Nicolás Tagliafico found Lautaro and the Inter forward found Alvarez in the penalty area to push her into the net and score his second goal dressed for his nation in eleven appearances.
The new Manchester United player has honored all the praise Pep Guardiola consistently gives him. He showed a different mobility from the rest. He was in and out of the area forming a good partnership with Martinez. And he didn’t stay parked upstairs; He suddenly appeared in the middle of the field to make contact with the ball, pass it and send himself back on offense. So he took advantage of the spaces.
Another who was clever in positioning himself and finding spaces behind his opponent’s double fives was Alexis Mac Allister. As a right midfielder, but also in rotation with Giovani Lo Celso, the Brighton man managed the Albiceleste midfield with touches of quality and good administration.
With the exclusivity of ownership, the task was not that simple. Jamaica was determined not to get out of the bottom so as not to be the victim of a landslide, like the last lower-ranking teams, and also Italy itself (a power even if it will not be in Qatar), which faced Scalonetta.
On that side it was another good example of what could happen in the group stage of the World Cup. Selection was not underlined. He appealed to circulation and mobility to advance between enemy lines. He got it on several occasions and Lautaro Martínez wasted a couple of chances. This time the marker couldn’t.
Only a free kick at halftime had Jamaica, but Shamar Nocholson knocked him out of his teammate Damion Lowe’s crop. Those led by Heimir Hallgrímsson tried to take the process on the physical side to take advantage of the speed of their men, even though Argentina knew they didn’t open that door.
The noise was heard when Scaloni, 10 minutes from the start of the complement, called Messi. At 10 he enters the field for Lautaro and immediately enters the game. Pulga went by the door a couple of times and it seemed the evening was about to leave the 25,000 spectators wanting to shout one of the best in the world. Rosario, however, did not disappoint and four minutes from the end he released the left to seal the victory.
He did not score one, but two great goals, the second from a free kick. And so he got everyone up from their seats and even dribbled three intruders who invaded the field to try to get his attention.
From entry or from the bench, Messi has once again demonstrated his good season with a clear goal on the horizon: the Qatar Cup.
New Jersey, United States. Special delivery.
Nahuel Lanzillotta
Source: Clarin