In his last role before the World Cup, without trying, Argentina crushed the United Arab Emirates. It was 5-0 with goals from Julián Álvarez, Di María (2), Messi and Joaquín Correa. Thus, Leo’s team stretched their unbeaten record to 36 games and arrived in Qatar as a real contender.
Smile. win Hit. He’s fun. Sounds. It’s Argentine. The selection of Lionel Messi does the right thing for the United Arab Emirates: without much effort, it crushes a very modest rival. This happens at the last function before the World Cup. This is happening in Abu Dhabi. This is a united, convinced, happy, winning team, now unbeaten in 36 games, a huge candidate… There is no better way to end up in Qatar.
Some tests were carried out by Lionel Scaloni in positions where he had some doubts and in other areas where the starters were not in full physical condition. This is how Juan Foyth played from the beginning as right back, Lisandro Martínez as second center back, Alexis Mac Allister in the role of Giovani Lo Celso and Julián Àlvarez as center forward. They all passed comfortably.
Argentina: Emiliano Martinez; Foyth, Otamendi (Pezzella, 46′), Lisandro Martínez, Acuña (Joaquín Correa, 46′); MacAllister (Montiel, 46′), Paredes (Guido Rodríguez, 74′), Rodrigo De Paul, Messi; Julián Álvarez (Enzo Fernández, 50′) and Di María (Nahuel Molina, 46′)
United Arab Emirates: Khalid Eisa; Al Dhanhani (Haikal, 76′), Al Hussain Saleh (Jamil, 64′), Mubarak, Abdulrahman; Hamad (Rashid, 64′), Al Balushi (Nader, 46′), Suhail (Ali Saleh, 77′), Ramadan, Caio Canedo; Al Hajeri, Fabio Lima (46′)
The objectives: 1-0, m.16: Julián Álvarez (16′); 2-0, Di Maria (25′). 3-0, Di Maria (35′); 4-0, Messi (43′); 5-0, m.59: Joaquín Correa
Referee: Ibrahim Nour El Din (Egypt). He advised Lisandro Martínez and Majid Rashid
Spectators: 30,000 at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi
see the match sheet
As expected, the opposition from the United Arab Emirates was negligible, designed with 4-5-1 by Argentine coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena, the former Villarreal who said in the preview that his children asked him to his players do not touch Messi just days of the World Cup debut.
The uncertainty did not last long.
Almost nothing lasts in uncertainty. Argentina did not achieve accuracy or depth in search, but with the first exact connection it gave the first shout. He cut Nicolás Otamendi and a lightning fast attack was born. Angel Di María enabled Messi, the 10 who helped Julián Álvarez and the “9” pushed him. Moments later, Fideo produced a perfect left-footed volley, after Marcos Acuña’s cross, and the albiceleste celebrated the second.
It was a walk for Argentina, with better goals. In the third, Angelito dribbled past two defenders, the goalkeeper and pushed him. The fourth, already at the end of the first period, was a delight for Leo, with a resolution from the right to an angle, all after a collection of inside passes.
He rehearsed a tactical move of Scaloni from the beginning of the second period, with a line of 5 defenders, which he developed with the additions of Gonzalo Montiel (right-back), Germán Pezzella (free center-back) and Nahuel Molina, who is positioned as a left-back. Joaquín Correa also entered. Then, there are minutes for Enzo Fernández.
In this new context, Rodrigo De Paul provided a sweet assist and Joaquín Correa celebrated the fifth. And Guido Rodríguez replaced Leandro Paredes. The one who didn’t come out was Messi. The 90 minutes were played by Leo. He didn’t want to miss any light blue and white moments on the 10th. And it is logical: Argentina is a machine that works perfectly. That is why the National Team and its captain have many reasons to dream.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
