Lionel Messi scored two goals for Argentina in their 2-0 win against Austria.
Messi had two goals and made it five goals in two World Cup matches.
Lautaro Martínez was tackled inside the penalty area and the referee would go to the video assistant before awarding Argentina a penalty kick. Lionel Messi would take it and he would go to the goalkeeper’s left but would miss the goal.
Austria would see more of the ball after the penalty kick miss.
With the score at 0-0, Thiago Almada would play the ball to Facundo Medina. He would pass the ball to Almada but Almada would let the ball roll and Messi would score to give Argentina the 1-0 lead.
Lionel Messi is now on 17 World Cup goals, the most all time.
Cristian Romero was substituted out for Nicolás Otamendi and Lionel Scaloni would also substitute Nicolás González and Julián Álvarez for Thiago Almada and Lautaro Martínez.
Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni would also substitute Leandro Paredes and Nicolás Tagliafico for Rodrigo De Paul and Facundo Medina. Both Paredes and Tagliafico did not play against Algeria.
Messi would receice the ball and pass it to Julián Álvarez, he would pass it to Messi and Messi’s initial effort was stopped but he would score the rebound. Messi has scored 18 World Cup goals, the most goals by a player.
Vamos Argentina!!
Messi!! Messi!!
Happy that we qualified for the next round. If Jordan doesn’t win their game against Algeria, then top spot from the group is also confirmed. That said, there are a few things to improve upon. Austria were fast and physical and they were winning the vast majority of 50-50 situations. We need to move on to a higher gear now.
Also, Alamada played better today. He was the secondary assister for Messi’s first goal, and also made a clever dummy to make that goal possible. Nonetheless, we are still missing a bit of x-factor. I wonder if Paz or Barco can be tried out a bit. I hope Messi does not play more than 45 minutes in the next game. We need to save his legs as much as possible.
Almada*
An excellent 10/10 performance from the team! Basically shut a good Austria team completely out. The team is making us believe. Almada is finding form, Enzo played some incisive passes, Lautaro won a penalty….but if I were to pick one player (other than of course the alien), it would be Medina. Very good defensive and offensive display, and I can’t see how Tagliafico now gets back into the team. 5 goals in first 2 games…it’s hard to ask for a better start. Vamos Argentina!
Peter Schmeichel was right. Messi scored 5 goals; Argentina didn’t score 5 goals. WTF is going on with Álvarez? He had a clear shot on goal but took forever to pull the trigger. The team needs to support Messi better and be far more ruthless in front of goal. All the top teams are in great form, and wasted chances will be punished.
If this had been a World Cup final, fans would have crucified Álvarez for that miss. It gave off the same vibes as Gonzalo Higuaín’s miss against Germany in the 2014 final. Argentina won’t get many chances like that against elite opposition.