ALL EYES ON MESSI AS ARGENTINA FACE NIGERIA IN DOORDIE TIE
Nigeria’s win over Iceland may have handed Lionel Messi and Argentina a lifeline, but if they are to progress, the team must put its drubbing against Croatia behind them. Messi will also have to step-up and inspire his compatriots versus an adept African unit. A look at what’s riding for Messi & Co:
CAPTAIN’S TEST
Messi had dragged Argentina to three finals in four years (World Cup 2014 and Copa America 2014 & 2015) but the title has always eluded him. While teammates failed to step-up besides him, Messi too, as captain could not inspire them.
This time though, a final may be a distant dream, as even their progression to the next round is in doubt. It now depends on how he can lift and evoke a response from his deflated team. And with Russia 2018, possibly his last chance at World Cup glory, Messi’s leadership will be a major factor against Nigeria.
SUPPORT CAST
On the road to the final four years ago, Messi was well supported by his team. Unlike in 2014, the Argentine defence has already conceded four times as opposed to the four goals they conceded in the entirety of the last edition. While Messi scored four of Argentina’s six goals in the group-stage, Angel Di Maria (bottom) and Gonzalo Higuain contributed the winners in the last 16 and quarterfinal.
But the team has failed to even find their talisman this time around, with Messi completely isolated in both the games. If Argentina are to progress to the next round, the team will have to turn up against Nigeria.
POOR RUN
Messi was completely shut down by Iceland and Croatia’s defence in their first two matches. A missed penalty in the first game against Iceland may have deflated Argentina’s leading scorer, who was already under immense pressure, from critics and fans, to guide his nation to glory.
To make matters even worse, he had just 20 touches in the first half against the Croats, the second fewest touches by any Argentina player. In the second-half of the encounter, aside from a couple of occasions, Messi could be seen nowhere near the ball.
REDISCOVER 2014 FORM
While there have been numerous additions and reductions from the Argentine squad that made it to the World Cup final in Brazil, it was Messi’s brilliance in the group stage that dragged the Albiceleste to the knockout stage.
Messi scored in all the group stage matches, including an injury-time winner against Iran. He set up Angel Di Maria’s winner in the round of 16 game against Switzerland and got Argentina off the mark in the semifinal penalty shoot-out against Netherlands.
He will have to find his form if they are to beat Nigeria by a good margin.