THE WAIT IS FINALLY OVER FOR LIONEL MESSI

AUTHOR- AAYUSHYA PRAKASH 

 

Image Credit- NDTV 

In the final of Copa America 2021, Argentina and Messi were to face the hosts and defending champions Brazil. Brazil defeated a brave Peru side to secure a spot in the Final. The atmosphere was electrifying at Maracana. It’s the same venue where Germany handed Argentina a world cup defeat 7 years ago. The star-studded Brazilian team featured Neymar, Caseimero, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Vinicius Jr. Firmino and Ederson. Argentina were also nothing less than that playing Angel Di Maria, PSG midfielder Leandro Paredes, Lautaro Martinez, veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi  and two very creative and underrated midfielders Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso.  The match was going to be full of attacks and high voltage drama. In simple words Box Office.

The Selecao were looking to attack from the beginning. Fred was awarded the first yellow card of the match. Soon after Argentina got possession and within 20 minutes they landed their first blow. This match was nothing like slowly settling in the game and finding possession or maintaining formation. In fact it was an ‘attack is the best defense’ kind of game. Both teams were trying hard to intercept almost every pass and not letting the opponent find rhythm. While Brazil enjoyed more possession, Argentinians were always looking dangerous on the attack.

Angels to the God

The Brazilian defence looked solid with the likes of Thiago Silva, Marquinhos and CDM Caseimiro. In the 21^st minute of the game an ecstatic pass from the Argentine midfielder Rodri De Paul set Angel De Maria free on the right wing who controlled it with sublime delicacy. Renan Lodi failed to intercept which compelled Ederson to charge on De Maria. Angel saw the opening and chipped the ball over the goalkeeper which found the back of the net, the only time in the game. Two angels collaborated to accomplish God’s will. Till the final whistle, it remained the only difference between the two teams.

Missed chances

In the 52^nd minute Brazil had the chance to equalize. Richalison slided one into the net on rebound from Otamendi. But the referee raised the offside flag and the goal was disallowed. In the 55^th minute, Martinez made a superman save to deny Richalison who hammered one on the target.

Late in the 89^th minute Messi missed a simple chance. On the counter, Messi crossed the ball to Rodri on right flank who offloaded it to Messi. Only Ederson was in the way, but one wrong footing ensured an easy save from the City’s Wall. Otherwise, Brazil was done for good.

What it takes to win a cup?

Argentina won Copa America after 28 years. In 10 edition after 1993, La Pulga played in 5. In 3 of them he carried his team into the finals. He lost two of the finals on penalties while the last edition saw Argentina facing humiliation by the hands of Brazil. But this year, something was different with the Argentinean team.

Over the group stage matches we saw a team which was not playing without a cause. We saw a hungry team who wanted to achieve something for someone special. They were ready to go on war for the one the whole Argentina loves the most. We saw a coach who was questioned time and again, ever since he was given charge of the team. He defied all odds to win a major trophy with his team and silenced every mouth around the footballing world. We saw a group of people which was not all about one man’s performance. As I’m writing this article, Coach Scaloni in a press meeting stated that Messi played with a hamstring injury. In the semi final he was fouled many times. His left sock turned red near ankle just around 1 hour mark. In the final fullback Montiel met the same fate. We saw a team who played with dirt on their jersey, blood drenched socks and a heart full of trust, resilience and will. In the end it was all emotions.