In this week’s edition of the Argentina Throwback Thursday, we have Juan Roman RIQUELME scoring and assisting against Peru at the 2007 Copa America. It was the quarter finals of the tournament and Argentina were up against Peru. The Albiceleste started the match with the following eleven:
Roberto ABBONDANZIERI
Javier ZANETTI
Roberto AYALA
Gabriel MILITO
Gabriel HEINZE
Javier MASCHERANO
Esteban CAMBIASSO
Juan Sebastian VERON
Juan Roman RIQUELME
Lionel MESSI
Diego MILITO
Regular number 9 Hernan CRESPO injured himself in the group stages and was ultimately replaced by MILITO. After the end of the first half, Juan Roman RIQUELME took over.
A shot from the edge of the area with his left foot beat Peruvian goalkeeper Leao BUTRON to give Argentina the lead. The second goal was nothing short of a genius. RIQUELME went into his passing repertoir and produced a ball which sliced through three Peruvian players before Lionel MESSI scored to double Argentina’s lead.
Javier MASCHERANO managed to make it 3-0 with his second of the tournament before RIQUELME, of course, netted once more this time off a brilliant counter attack by Carlos TEVEZ.
RIQUELME turned on the style the entire tournament and probably even more so against Mexico in the semi finals. But that performance against Peru, two goals and an assist, was something of RIQUELME’s level. Unfortunately, Argentina would go on to lose the final but Argentina definitely misses a player of Roman’s caliber.
Last week’s Argentina Throwback Thursday saw Hernan CRESPO score a peach of a volley against Colombia.
Riquelme is an unforgettable legend. Missing him so much… what a player. Argentina are still bearing the curse for dumping him outrightly. ‘Beautiful Player of the Beautiful Game’.
Argentina already choked in final before messi generation came and crossed quarter final in world cup thanks to messi generation