The South Americans’ two units of four across (midfield
and defence) shifted well across the field as they retained their shape. The
midfield got attracted and were sucked into the game as Germany stroked the
ball around. They needed to stay solid and maintain the tactical discipline as the
Germans pried for crevices.
Messi kept menacing on the right flank and
threatened with each great run into the box. Higuain failed to convert a back
pass by Kroos, in one of the two rare Germany mistakes. He hit the target after
Lavezzi set him up but he was offside.
Argentina came stronger from the break, with Messi
slicing his left-footed shot past Neuer and upright post. They began to thread
passes to the front-runners, often playing long balls for Higuain to run to. Neuer
almost decapitated the Argentinian striker as he rushed out of his penalty area
to punch the ball to safety. While air-borne, his knee caught Higuain on the
neck as they both tumbled to the ground.
Biglia became aggressive in midfield while Sergio
Aguero squandered possession numerous times. Palacio came in to miss the chance
of the tournament. Germany defended strongly and efficiently absorbing all the
pressure. The ball fell kindly to Muller and Schurle later in the half but
rolled away to Romero. Lahm and Muller were a big concern for Argentina as they
asked questions on the left side.
Then came the moment. Mario Gotze received the ball
that was won in midfield on the left and played along the line to Schurle. The
Chelsea man played a perfect cross to Gotze. The German striker had space and time
to take it on his chest, cushioning it on his first touch by slightly
withdrawing the contact surface area thereby setting himself for a shot. A step
later, he raised his head to time the run of the onrushing Romero. He planted
his non-kicking foot slightly behind the dropping ball, which he volleyed with
the shoe laces in a controlled manner. He angled the boot appropriately to keep
the contact on the ball in the middle so as to limit the height of the
resultant kick.
The ball whistled past the diving Argentina
goalkeeper and nestled into the net. That goal stood and shall ever stand as
the one that stood between Messi and eternal glory. Sentiment aside, Argentina
did not hit top gear until the match today, but it was not enough on the day. Messi
tried to act as a team player in moments when he should have been selfish and
single-handedly weaved his way past the Germany defence.
Manuel Neuer won the Golden Glove while Messi’s
consolation was the Golden Ball. James Rodriguez of Columbia was the Golden Boot winner with his six goals. Paul Pogba won the Young Player of the Tournament.
So, was the German GK out of the penalty area when he punched the ball? If so, best outcome was a handball and direct from the spot of the touching ... worse would be a red card for tackling the offensive player in a goal scoring opportunity. Certainly not the call, but it might have been in most other venues. That is my thought. How about yours?
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with that opinion. What made it worse, was that the Germany goalkeeper was awarded the free-kick. There were marginal calls against Argentina, not that it matters now. I am of the opinion that the South Americans did not do much to justify any case. That goal was scored when they were considering a penalty shoot-out. The central defence got lost for a moment and they were punished. The cross came in without anyone closing hard, and central defenders were far apart. Messi played the modern game of teamwork. All great players are great for their moment of selfishness, usually called the moments of brilliance. He developed cold feet and he got an undeserved consolation of 'Player of the Tournament. We wait for another four years.
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