Lionel Messi, Giovani Lo Celso and Lautaro Martínez scored for Argentina in their 3-1 win against Jordan at the World Cup.
Messi started the match on the bench but it was Giovani Lo Celso who scored the first goal of the match. Giovani Lo Celso was tackled just outside of the penalty area and Argentina were awarded a free kick. Lo Celso would take the free and he would score to give Argentina the 1-0 lead.
Nicolas Tagliafico would cross the ball into the penalty area and Lautaro Martinez would get to it but his effort would hit the crossbar. Marcos Senesi would get to the rebound but he was kicked in the face and Argentina were awarded a free kick.
Lautaro Martínez would take the free kick and he would score to give Argentina the 2-0 lead.
With Argentina leading 2-0, Mousa Altamari would score for Jordan.
Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni would make three substitutions. Lionel Messi, Thiago Almada and Alexis Mac Allister for Lautaro Martinez, Nico Paz and Giovani Lo Celso.
Lionel Scaloni would also substitute in Valentín Barco for Giuliano Simeone.
Lionel Messi would receive the ball and was tackled. Argentina were awarded a free kick.
Messi would take the free kick and score. Messi now has six goals at this World Cup.
Scaloni would substitute José Manuel López in for Julián Álvarez.
Argentina will play Cabo Verde in the Round of 32 at the World Cup on Saturday, July 3 in Miami.
Paz, Lo Celso, Senesi, Giuliano – all four proved beyond any doubt that they deserve to be placed in the first team or at least as first substitutes, ahead of Almada, Gonzalez, Paredes, Otamendi.
My two cents.
Cons:
1. Not a single good open-play goal today. Every goal came from a set piece, and at least two of them probably wouldn’t have happened if the opposition had a decent goalkeeper.
2. I didn’t like the way we defended. We looked nervous whenever we were under pressure. Too many rash challenges, unnecessary slide tackles, and players getting pulled out of position. We struggled to maintain our defensive shape, composure, and calmness. Jordan didn’t really test us much, but on the few occasions they did, we didn’t look convincing.
3. I’m still concerned about Lautaro and Julián Álvarez. I barely noticed Julián throughout the game. Lautaro had just one real effort, which hit the bar, and the chance he missed right before the penalty was a terrible miss. Both of them still look rusty.
Pros:
1. It was a comfortable win. We got the three points without much trouble, and, most importantly, no one got injured.
2. Nico Paz looks very promising. He has excellent technique. He may not have explosive pace or flair, but he looks like a very intelligent and talented player.
3. I also liked the Barco kid. He plays with heart and has some very good touches.
4. This team defends as a unit. All 11 players contribute defensively, and that collective effort helps cover for some of the rash decisions and occasional sloppiness from the back line.
5. I was impressed with Senesi. We now have four very good center-backs to choose from.
Overall, Argentina will have to improve a lot in the knockout stages. Yes, we finished with nine points and the statistics look great, but the performances haven’t been as convincing as the results suggest. The level of opposition will only get tougher from here.
Lautaro’s strength is link up play. He is a brilliant second forward (a role in which he has been exceptional in Inter). He did that very well today, as he did in the first two games. Otherwise I agree with most of your points.
Well said. Three of our goals came from setpieces, we are yet to have a convincing open-play finishing touch without Messi. Massive concerns for both Lautaro and Julian..i think Julian’s head is elsewhere considering the transfer conflict he’s having now, he was shocking today.
Palacios proving to be a very dependable player when we’re out of depth at RB, Simeone putting the “nepo-baby” narratives to bed, working hard up and down the pitch. Senesi played his part, won the penalty. Barco got some minutes and yet to see his true potential, hope we can eventually as we progress. Nico Paz too, considering our 2 top strikers are not having great games thus far, it’ll interesting to see if Paz-Messi duo upfront may work.
Paredes seems a bit off too, expected some line breaking passes but Jordan defended quite well and it’s tough. Could’ve done better with the Jordan’s goal, along with Tagliafico, the cross was from the left side. I hope they were just giving 50% as there’s nothing to play for in this game.
Congrats to GLC for the freekick goal and the GOAT himself.. 7 consecutive games scored, top scorer now and all-time.
All in all we won and we keep marching forward. Today’s game might be how Cabo Verde will play against us, compact and low block just like they did against Spain.
Apart from dead balls not a single chance today😌