The defeat to Saudi Arabia was jarring. The first half against Mexico was disturbing. But don't worry, Argentina: Lionel Messi is still your savior.
Lionel Messi's latest record for Argentina shows how long he has been at the top of world football.
And this could easily have been a draw, if not a total defeat, and after the loss to Saudi Arabia, the latter scenario would see Argentina out in just two games. In the first half, Argentina played badly - and fortunately Mexico wasn't much better either. The fact that Scaloni has made five changes from the opening game, although several of them were forced to injury, shows just how confused he is, which after a 36-match unbeaten streak, it seems very remarkable. ll the talk of stability and balance that governs building positivity for the league vanished in a slightly odd four-minute spell against the Saudis.
“It’s difficult to make people understand that the sun will shine whether you lose or you win,” Scaloni continued. “We need to find an emotional balance.” The players celebratedcelebrated with abandon in the dressing room for more than an hour, suggesting Scaloni might have something to do with his team, too.
Generally, the dream of Lionel Messi and Argentina, at least for now, lives on. Lionel Scaloni's team will have to play much better than this if Messi wants to win the World Cup in his fifth time participating. But the most important thing against Mexico on Saturday is simply to win, to kick off this World Cup campaign and take three points, meaning a victory over Poland in four days will guarantee progress to the round of 16.
Lionel Messi's latest record for Argentina shows how long he has been at the top of world football.
- Argentina beat Mexico 2-0
- Messi scores and assists
- Up next: Poland
WHAT HAPPENED?
Messi is currently simultaneously the youngest and oldest player to score both a goal and an assist in a World Cup match since 1966. In Argentina's 2-0 win over Mexico, he scored his first and assist for the second goal, proving that he is not done yet.And this could easily have been a draw, if not a total defeat, and after the loss to Saudi Arabia, the latter scenario would see Argentina out in just two games. In the first half, Argentina played badly - and fortunately Mexico wasn't much better either. The fact that Scaloni has made five changes from the opening game, although several of them were forced to injury, shows just how confused he is, which after a 36-match unbeaten streak, it seems very remarkable. ll the talk of stability and balance that governs building positivity for the league vanished in a slightly odd four-minute spell against the Saudis.
WHAT THEY SAID:
Source: Hassan Ammar/AP
“It’s difficult to make people understand that the sun will shine whether you lose or you win,” Scaloni continued. “We need to find an emotional balance.” The players celebratedcelebrated with abandon in the dressing room for more than an hour, suggesting Scaloni might have something to do with his team, too.
THE BIGGER PICTURE:
Source: Ariel Schalit/AP
Generally, the dream of Lionel Messi and Argentina, at least for now, lives on. Lionel Scaloni's team will have to play much better than this if Messi wants to win the World Cup in his fifth time participating. But the most important thing against Mexico on Saturday is simply to win, to kick off this World Cup campaign and take three points, meaning a victory over Poland in four days will guarantee progress to the round of 16.