Ariel ORTEGA scores memorable goal for Argentina in 1998 win against Republic of Ireland

1. Before the start of the tournament I wanted Argentina to be in top3 so that they will be eligible to play in pan american games. But now when I think about it, I dont think any clubs are going to release their first team player for such a low tournament. The team probably would be reserves and u17. Anyway if batista can find one or two excellent players from reserves for WC then that is a good thing.

   • Worth to see talents that already have caps for U-20 team like Cristian Ferreira from River, Maxi Lovera, Moreno from Newell’s, Gaston Avila from Rosario Central, Andres Ayala or Pourtau, Mura from Estudiantes might play there as they still are not important part of their clubs.

     • Yaa thats true, high chance for talents like Ayala, Ferreira ,pourtau in team. I think Lovera does play for central first team.
       Isnt Avila joined Boca juniors recently?

       • Avila was going to join soon. Lovera position in Central, under Bauza-oldie lover is not that good as previously.

2. Hope to see Martinez play today..

   • Spallettis Inter is just a dreadful team to watch. No creativity, all crosses and hoof balls to only 1 man in the box. Spalletti also not using Martinez at all except in the dying minutes. Wish our 2 strikers transferred to another team next season..or inter hire another coach.

     • Yes he stuck to his 433, preferred to use Nainggolan or Mario as box to box 2nd striker. Horrible to watch. Reminds me of Mourinho’s Chelsea

3. Dario Benedetto will be most probably called up for upcoming friendlies:

   https://tn.com.ar/deportes/esencial/dario-benedetto-vuelve-la-seleccion-los-motivos-por-los-que-scaloni-apuesta-por-el-9-de-boca_938677

   • Oh boy, if Mr Training Wheels Scaloni is claiming that Benedetto is hands down our best #9, then he’s truly a f&*king moron. I actually do like Benedetto but that statement is delusional. Im not against Benedetto competing with Aguero/Martinez/Icardi and letting the best rise to top but not at the cost of not calling up our BEST #9 Aguero. damn im disliking this amateur more and more, that is..assuming Scaloni actually said that which may not be true.

     • I hear Aguero is our best striker year after year but so far there was no evidence of that on NT level while some players goalscoring feats on club level are proven not to have straight translation into NT equally convincing performances.

       Second thing, Scaloni is probably afraid (me too) is back to old hierarchy in team by bringing again together famous pair of forwards Messi-Aguero, which, in fact, never showed on the pitch anything speciall about chemistry, that the two allegedly have off the pitch.
       One of them – OK. But two together it’s big risk of getting back old power relations, divisions for superstars and minor rest in the team, old guard and the new while we need to keep the refreshing atmosphere all players were talking about after Scaloni’s friendlies. We need new spirit.

       • Benedetto is 29 years old who is yet to prove himself and ageuro a 30 year old who is the proven best striker and our highest scorer in 18 wc with less playing time ,then what’s the problem of calling ageuro ,if you are OK with unproven bendetto ? Pls keep your oldie concept aside and think wisely ,we badly need a trophy (we may or may not win but we should give 100% ) and I am not saying to call all old players ,messi ,otamendi ,Ageuro are enough
         We should not forget the debacle of 2010 wc and remember if we perform disastrously in copa then it will have a very bad moral impact for future ,there must a good transition and most importantly recent form is necessary to go for tournament and currently ageuro is thousand times better

         • And remember our players were never enemy of nt it is the Argentine media who are cancerous and let’s not talk about the corruption , mismanagement and wrong decisions of afa which is the biggest wall before nt’s success
           Regarding division ,so called oldie power etc these things are just illusion and rumour with no concrete evidence

         • Benedetto is 28.
           What’s the problem with calling Aguero was said above.
           Aguero is only better on paper. We have too many such paper tigers that are superstars on club level only. I don’t know how long you are following Argentina but we’ve been here before many times… with all that stunning club performances that never were translated into something similar in NT jersey.

           Scaloni has his reasons to call up Benedetto: none of Icardi, Martinez, Simeone, Aguero is type of hardworker while Benedetto is. Aguero might be more clinical but is nowhere near in that matter comparing to workhorse Benedetto.

           Maxi Romero might be better finisher than Gaich but with workhorse Gaich whole team just play better and render better results. Such logic.

         • On club level currently Aguero is probably better than Icardi, Martinez, Simeone but that doesn’t mean he will influence better our team. Banedetto is different to all them because brings more of hardworking Pratto/Lavezzi’s style. One such forward in pack needed.

         • “Maxi Romero might be better finisher than Gaich but with workhorse Gaich whole team just play better and render better results. Such logic.”

           No, the team started to build some chemistry and played better but not because of Gaich “hardworking”, the results were the same bad with him too at the start of the tournament, there was no difference with Gaich. very bad logic, makes no sense.

           We saw very little from Benedettos hardworking vs Venezuela, Ecuador or Nigeria. Aguero makes 2times more passes, touches in a match, he step back in the build up regularly, unlike Benedetto, whos vision and passing is so mehh. Vs Nigeria perfect example after Aguero injury, the team collapsed completely with Benedetto, Nigeria defense was so confident against him, no more nightmares of account of Aguero. Such logic.

         • @Csabalala

           “No, the team started to build some chemistry and played better but not because of Gaich “hardworking”, the results were the same bad with him too at the start of the tournament, there was no difference with Gaich”

           But with which of them team started to build better understanding: with Gaich or Romero? Of course with Gaich because he is hardworker and his influence on the team is better.

           To build better chemistry you need right elements and Gaich is such apparently element. So you contradicted himself because in fact Gaich is part of the better chemistry.

       • > I hear Aguero is our best striker year after year but so far there was no evidence of that on NT level

         I keep hearing there is no evidence but its akin to the climate change denialists. A mountain of evidence is right in front of them yet they keep ignoring or spinning the truth.

         Here’s some evidence:

         Evidence: Aguero performed incredibly well in the last WC. Easily one our best players.

         Evidence: Aguero scored 2 goals in WC18

         Evidence: Messi and Aguero had great chemistry during the last WC. Not only did Messi assist Aguero goals but against all odds and under immense pressure, Messi and Aguero connected in the dying minutes against France almost scoring the 4th goal.

         Evidence: Under Guardiola, Aguero has developed into a much more complete striker and contributes to pressing and build up play.

         Evidence: Aguero is currently the most inform striker out of all our options.

         Evidence: Aguero competes at the highest level is able tp play under immense pressure.

         Now…you keep bringing up performances from years ago simply because it supports your dislike and keep ignoring the above evidence. Overall, the most important performance indicators when assessing a player is based on the current contribution but you keep using performances from 2-6 years ago which are completely meaningless. (also, the guy finally had knee surgery last year which he was plagued with for years. WC 14 hes was really injured yet you hold him accountable)

         • Chorpian you explained brilliantly ,one can win only by scoring and defending well and for scoring ageuro is best shot

       • Mate bendetto will be 29 in may and his finishing is awful and watch man city’s matches how ageuro drops deep ,makes off ball movement ,helps in build up , don’t give excuse of hardworking and remember we looked threatening in wc 18 during ageuro’s presence but sadly that sampaoli used him more in bench

         • “Mate bendetto will be 29 in may” – this is like tendencious people are when they don’t like some player.

           Benedetto will be 29 in may but Aguero is just 30 for you?! No Aguer will be 31 few days later.

           Aguero is nowhere near to Benedetto when it comes to off-movement and for the reason Scaloni will take him.

4. The 1998 jersey was a great one. Probably our last great one. I’ve still got mine.

   • that is true. that jersey was one of the best ever we used.
     but i am not agree that it was the last great one.
     the jersey we used in last world cup was very beautiful one too and in 2002 world cup was one too that i find very beautiful.

     • I am a fan of jerseys that have a collar. But I did enjoy the away one from the last World Cup. I dislike the ones that become fillers, i.e. Copa America jerseys and qualifier jerseys. Zero effort is put into them.

5. Lot of mundo people are very contradict suppertrs(sorry to say but true) they judge a player(if he is young) just watching one or two good matches.today ocampas was scored,i think next 3 days ,thes guys consider Ocampos as a national team material like gaich.even tomorrow lawtaro martinez will score,u guys will bragging ur ass about lautaro,and consider him as our current number 9(best eleven).come on Bro…these talented players just our future not now.we have already Aguera and Icardi

   • Based on current form, the pecking order should be Aguero – Icardi – Martinez. I actually really like Martinez and relieved we finally have the next “Aguero”. He needs chances to develop, hopefully he starts getting more game time at Inter.

     • I hope he will be more than just next Aguero, at least on NT level, because so far Aguero never was player who made a real difference in NT. He was just one of our strikers that always were either failing or injuring in most important moments.

6. Argentina u 16 Vs Germany u 16 .
   Does anyone knows the result?

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