Lionel Messi makes more history with another goal in Argentina win

He played for only 30 minutes, and he evidently did not feel the need to do much running, but Lionel Messi still gave the people what they wanted. His sixth goal of this tournament, curled into the net from range, made him the first player to ever score in seven consecutive World Cup games.

The records keep on coming for this footballing genius, who was given a rest for the majority of Argentina’s final group game against an already-eliminated Jordan. For an hour, Messi’s absence even allowed some of his team-mates to enjoy a rare spell in the limelight. Giovani Lo Celso scored a free-kick that Messi would usually have taken, before Lautaro Martinez did the same with a penalty.

Those two goals prompted loud celebrations in a Dallas Stadium dominated by Argentinians, but they were nothing in volume compared to the cheers triggered by Messi. Firstly, by the No 10 simply entering the pitch after 60 minutes. And secondly, by him then scoring a free-kick from around 25 yards.

On paper, the goal sounds like a classic Messi strike. In reality, he had a little help on this one. Jordan’s goalkeeper, for the second time in the match, put all of his weight on his wrong foot when faced with a free-kick. Yazeed Abulaila leaned to his left, just as Messi whacked the ball low to his right.

Next up for Argentina and their fabulous support is a trip to Miami, where Messi plays his club football, for a round-of-32 fixture against Cape Verde. We can be certain that Messi will start that one, and that he will be more willing to move through the motions. Truly, he barely threatened to even enter second gear in his showing here. One does not play for so long in this gruelling game without knowing how to conserve energy and preserve the body.

Before his arrival, the game had provided a reminder that a time will soon come when Argentina’s attack is not built around Messi. Others will eventually need to fill the void, and the team will need to evolve.

With qualification for the knockout stages already secured ahead of this match in Dallas, the first hour of this game was therefore an opportunity for Argentina’s players and supporters to briefly glimpse a post-Messi future. It is not a happy thought, but for Argentina it will soon become necessary to consider how their world might change.

A forward duo of Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez, two of the best players in Italy and Spain respectively, was perhaps a sign of things to come in their medium-term future. Inter Milan striker Martinez, the top scorer in Serie A last season, is 28. Alvarez, the Atletico Madrid star, is 26.

Another player with a seemingly bright international future is young playmaker Nico Paz, who has established himself as one of football’s most exciting talents. The Como player, 21, is a rangy left-footed creator and he produced some bursts of quality in this victory over Jordan. It was not quite Messi-esque, but that does not mean his ability should be sniffed at.

The first player not named Messi to score for Argentina at this tournament was former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Lo Celso, who now represents Real Betis in Spain. Lo Celso had a rare opportunity to take a free-kick in Messi’s absence and he produced a beauty, whipped into the top corner of Yazeed Abulaila’s goal.

Argentina were sharing the set-piece duties without their captain and their second goal came from the spot, when Martinez slammed the ball into the corner. The penalty had been awarded when Marcos Senesi, who has recently swapped Bournemouth for Spurs, was kicked in the head while stopping for a bouncing ball.

Jordan scored an impressive goal of their own, when Mousa Al Tamari slid in at the back post after 55 minutes, but by that point all eyes were on the bench, where Messi was preparing to enter the fray. To see him in action at a World Cup is a near-religious experience for many Argentina fans, and he duly provided them with the glorious moment they craved.

[Source: Daily Telegraph]