Game # 41 - Nigeria vs Argentina
Jun. 26th, 2014 10:54 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
catalyst2What an opening - two goals in the first 4 minutes. I am so glad that no Nigerian defender got near Messi's shot - he hit that so hard that I was afraid it might rip someone's head off! Once that was over, Argentina started to look like the team of old with controlled possession, raiding attacks and constant building pressure - a great sight to see. Having said that, Nigeria were no sluggards either and launched a fair few attacks of their own, but the Argentinian defence was well organised and generally kept them out. Messi's second, just before half-time was a moment of perfect placement that not many people can do as consistently.
The start of the second half was just as exciting but it was Nigeria that scored first and then Argentina restored its lead just 3 minutes later. The game stayed as exciting throughout with Nigeria never relenting in it's search for an equalizer but it was not to be. 2-3 to Argentina it was and a great game. I also realized that whilst Messi might be the goal scorer that everyone notices, Di Maria is the real engine of the attack - he might not have scored a goal but he had more shots (and more shots on goal) than Messi - in any other team in the world, Di Maria would be the superstar but he plays second fiddle to Messi.
The start of the second half was just as exciting but it was Nigeria that scored first and then Argentina restored its lead just 3 minutes later. The game stayed as exciting throughout with Nigeria never relenting in it's search for an equalizer but it was not to be. 2-3 to Argentina it was and a great game. I also realized that whilst Messi might be the goal scorer that everyone notices, Di Maria is the real engine of the attack - he might not have scored a goal but he had more shots (and more shots on goal) than Messi - in any other team in the world, Di Maria would be the superstar but he plays second fiddle to Messi.
