Argentina into Copa quarters
Magical Messi revels in revamped forward-line.
CORDOBA:
A reborn Argentina swamped Costa Rica 3-0 to reach the quarter-finals of the Copa America in style, courtesy a brace from Sergio Aguero and another goal from Angel Di Maria.
Coach Sergio Batista had been under huge pressure after the hosts, seeking their first major trophy since 1993, failed to register a win in the tournament.
After their slow start to the tournament, he rang the changes with Carlos Tevez and Ezequiel Lavezzi benched and Higuain brought in as a classic centre-forward, allowing Messi to concentrate more on his string-pulling out of the immediate firing line.
Where Messi in particular was concerned, the plan worked like a dream, as the Barcelona man was involved in almost every move, tearing Costa Rica’s defence to shreds with his incisive passing and weaving in and out.
The revamped forward-line lay siege to Leonel Moreira’s goalmouth from the outset, with Aguero netting seconds before half-time. Messi set up the second goal for Aguero soon after the break to give Argentina further breathing space and take his tally at the event to a tournament-high three.
Messi, who had struggled to find his form in his side’s opening two games, continued his influential role feeding Di Maria for a third goal just after the hour, the Real Madrid man providing the left-footed finish.
Argentina could have extended their winning margin with five minutes remaining but Lavezzi’s shot hit the post. The win ensured the South Americans joined Colombia, Chile, Peru and Venezuela in the quarters.
Batista was delighted with Messi’s two assists and general return to form. “Lionel was brilliant, like the rest of the team,” he said. “I’m very happy with the attitude.”
Messi himself was grateful to the fans for getting behind a side they had brutally criticised prior to the final group game. “Now another Copa is starting – we want the best for Argentina more than anyone,” said the forward.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 13th, 2011.
A reborn Argentina swamped Costa Rica 3-0 to reach the quarter-finals of the Copa America in style, courtesy a brace from Sergio Aguero and another goal from Angel Di Maria.
Coach Sergio Batista had been under huge pressure after the hosts, seeking their first major trophy since 1993, failed to register a win in the tournament.
After their slow start to the tournament, he rang the changes with Carlos Tevez and Ezequiel Lavezzi benched and Higuain brought in as a classic centre-forward, allowing Messi to concentrate more on his string-pulling out of the immediate firing line.
Where Messi in particular was concerned, the plan worked like a dream, as the Barcelona man was involved in almost every move, tearing Costa Rica’s defence to shreds with his incisive passing and weaving in and out.
The revamped forward-line lay siege to Leonel Moreira’s goalmouth from the outset, with Aguero netting seconds before half-time. Messi set up the second goal for Aguero soon after the break to give Argentina further breathing space and take his tally at the event to a tournament-high three.
Messi, who had struggled to find his form in his side’s opening two games, continued his influential role feeding Di Maria for a third goal just after the hour, the Real Madrid man providing the left-footed finish.
Argentina could have extended their winning margin with five minutes remaining but Lavezzi’s shot hit the post. The win ensured the South Americans joined Colombia, Chile, Peru and Venezuela in the quarters.
Batista was delighted with Messi’s two assists and general return to form. “Lionel was brilliant, like the rest of the team,” he said. “I’m very happy with the attitude.”
Messi himself was grateful to the fans for getting behind a side they had brutally criticised prior to the final group game. “Now another Copa is starting – we want the best for Argentina more than anyone,” said the forward.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 13th, 2011.