World Cup countdown: 50 days, Argentina moment number 45, Javier ZANETTI

By
Roy Nemer
-
10

As part of the 50 days, 50 Argentina World Cup moments, we will be counting down the top 50 Argentina moments at a World Cup using the daily number.

We are just 45 days until the start of the FIFA World Cup and in 45th place we have Javier ZANETTI scoring in the 45th minute at the 1998 FIFA World Cup against England in the quarter finals.

The build up to the match was tense. You had the actualy war between the two countries as well as memories of Diego MARADONA’s goals at the 1986 World Cup. The infamous Hand of God and the Goal of the Century which knocked England out 12 years earlier were still burning in the hearts of England fans.

What happened during those 120 minutes plus penalty kicks ensured that it was an absolute classic. Arguable the best match of that tournament and one of the best World Cup matches of all time. Four goals were scored but it was the one that was scored in the 45th minute which stole the show.

Daniel PASSARELLA’s men were awarded a free kick and up stepped Juan Sebastian VERON. The Estudiantes de la Plata icon was about to shoot the ball but he faked the shot and passed it to Javie ZANETTI instead. ZANETTI was hiding behind the English wall, it got to his foot and a left footed shot went past David SEAMAN.

An extremely smart play and one which was used in training by Daniel PASSARELLA. The match which had it all. Goals, a red card, extra time, a golden goal disallowed in extra time and penalty kicks. As an Argentina fan, it was great.

But the true magic came in the 45th minute with Javier ZANETTI’s goal.

Here was Argentina’s starting XI for the match:

1. Carlos ROA
2. Roberto AYALA
3. Jose CHAMOT
5. Matias ALMEYDA
7. Claudio LOPEZ
8. Diego SIMEONE
9. Gabriel BATISTUTA
10. Ariel ORTEGA
11. Juan Sebastian VERON
14. Nelson VIVAS
22. Javier ZANETTI

If you missed it, here are our 50 World Cup moments:
50: Sergio ROMERO gets 50th cap vs. Switzerland at 2014 FIFA World Cup.
49: Roberto AYALA scores in the 49th minute vs. Germany at 2006 FIFA World Cup.
48: Angel DI MARIA’s 48th cap for Argentina vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina at 2014 FIFA World Cup.
47: Mario KEMPES scores Argentina’s 47th goal all time at the 1978 FIFA World Cup vs. Peru.
46: Jorge VALDANO scores in the 46th minute at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.

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10 Comments

  1. Read this, I could live with the team. If this is actually how Sampaoli is thinking I get a bit of comfort. Mid field looks a bit soft still but that’s our sore point

    Also. I think Dybala inclusion is basically impossible to ignore for Sampaoli. Dybala is the only other player whom will garner a somewhat similar respect (but way less) from defenses to what Messi does. This allows Dybala to come on at 70 minutes and close a game out to give Messi rest. Also, how about Dybala starting and Messi coming on at half time. To not include Dybala would be suicide in the press as well, unless of course they win. I highly doubt both Messi and Him will play together but I view Dybalas role as the ‘utility – x factor player’ if that exists.

    Also was hoping for Garay or very healthy Funes-Mori. Also a bit skeptical on Rojo although I really thought he was one of the top performers in the world cup. His form since injury has been very bad, even in the qualifiers before he was injured. I as so suprised Man U resigned him at 70k pounds/week for 5 years. He sits on the bench. Maybe he liked Russia better, maybe that plays well.

    I read somewhere that aguero is returning to training and feels 100%. Perhaps his injury is a silver lining, a few months of rest. Hopefully he can suit up at least once more for Man City or atleast get heavily involved in the friendlies to get his pace up.

    https://www.thesportsman.com/articles/has-jorge-sampaoli-already-decided-on-his-argentina-squad

  2. I have watched a few of the games from 2014 to get ready for this year. It was great to go back and watch them after the dust had settled. I still haven’t watched the final again, although I did do that a couple of years ago.

    – Vs Netherlands: Considering that we didn’t have Di Maria, we played quite well. What a very underwhelming dutch side. I can’t believe they made it to the Semi’s, although I guess Mexico should have knocked them out. This game was really only betweeen Vlaar and Mascherano, everyone else playing were ornaments.

    – Vs Belgium: This game could have easily been 4 -1 for Argentina. I will note that Di Maria had the ball at the top of the box about 5 times and kicked the ball directly at Kompany. I will also note that Higuain missed a one on one with Courtois and had him beat but kicked it over the net. I will also note that Messi also had a 1v1 and kicked it right at the goal keeper. Also, Felliani is a dirty player and should have been sent off by half time, he steped all over messi and only got a warning and Argentina got a free kick

    -Vs Switzerland: This game should have never gone to overtime

    -Vs Germany: Both Higuain and Messi missed one on one chances just like against Belgium

    Conclusion: No National team is as good as they are on paper. De Bruyne, Hazard, Kompany, Felliani and other big club players looked horrible. I think we get caught thinking Argentina is the only team with issues going into the world cup, I think most teams have issues we just focus on Argentina. Although still Spain looks scary, but nothing worse than having high expectations going in (like Brazil )

  3. Sampoli can try this….

    ————ROMERO—————-
    ————Otamendi—————
    Mury——biglia ———-Rojo-
    —-Peredes———Acuna——

    Locelso——-Dybala ——Maria

    —————Messi——————

    No need Icardi or Heguin——

  4. I was in Argentina for this WC. I was in a small town during this game and the entire town went crazy after winning the game. Because I was an American there, they treated me like I was from England that pointed at me and laughed. It was an amazing time.

  5. Let’s prey that asshole Ronaldo lose champion league final so he shuts his mouth from sending messi childish messages. Sometimes I give respect to ronaldo considering he’s a good footballer but his attitude and prevailing jealousy of messi together entitle me the right to stop praising him anymore. Messi has never said such things towards him and he’s been professional his entire rivalry with Ronaldo. The problem is in Ronaldo without a doubt. The guard of honour ceremony is giving him insomnia, such a bastard.

  7. I tell you this much, time flies, I remember being out for lunch and stopping by this computer place and the guys there were watching the game. Walking in just in time to see Owen run by the defense and scoring and I was like who the hell is this kid!! Wow 1998 as if it was yesterday.

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