Argentina emerged alive from Cape Verde’s ambush, but with one unsettling certainty: they remain too dependent on the genius of Lionel Messi.
In the last 16, against Mohamed Salah’s Egypt, the world champions will have one final opportunity to fine-tune their game before the World Cup enters its decisive phase.
The Albiceleste will have have spent the days since Friday’s dramatic victory reflecting on their performance. The initial emotion after the 3-2 win over Cape Verde, sealed by a late goal just before a penalty shoot-out, was one of enormous relief at avoiding a humiliating exit.
But Argentina were also shaken by how close they came to the brink, even if the underlying causes had been evident since the start of the tournament.
Playing in the sixth World Cup of his career, Messi has scored seven of Argentina’s 11 goals in victories over Algeria, Austria, Jordan and Cape Verde.
When the ball does not pass through their captain, the Albiceleste produce football that is overly static and predictable, dominating possession without enough purpose or imagination.
The side that conquered the world in Qatar 2022 through its freshness and tactical dynamism now seems content to wait for Messi’s inevitable intervention. The Inter Miami forward has now scored in each of his last eight World Cup matches.
Apart from Messi – who is the tournament’s joint top scorer alongside Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland – only Lautaro Martínez has scored among Argentina’s forwards, converting a penalty against Jordan.
‘El Toro‘ Martínez has managed just that one goal in his 10 World Cup appearances but has started all four matches at this tournament ahead of Julián Álvarez.
Messi’s main partner during the successful Qatar campaign, scoring four goals, ‘La Araña‘ Álvarez has struggled to make an impact in this tournament, recording neither a goal nor an assist in 200 minutes on the pitch.
Waiting for Martínez and Álvarez
Martínez and Álvarez received backing over the weekend from one of Argentina’s greatest strikers, Gabriel Batistuta, who pointed out that both remain among the world’s most highly regarded forwards.
“They’re world stars,” Batistuta, Argentina’s second-highest scorer of all time, said.
“I think they’re doing everything perfectly. We always expect them to score, but right now Messi is scoring the goals.”
“It’s not something that worries us,” Scaloni said when asked about the concentration of goals in Messi’s tally.
“We’d like the goals to be shared around the team, but as long as things are going well, as long as we’re winning.”
Those comments were made before Argentina’s shortcomings were exposed against Cape Verde.
The match confirmed that Argentina are not creating enough through either their wingers or attack-minded full-backs, which in turn limits opportunities for midfielders such as Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister to arrive in the penalty area late.
With the team not firing on all cylinders, the world champions have progressed largely thanks to the quality of their individual players – not least the almost 40-year-old Messi.
Egypt: Nothing to lose
The meeting with Egypt, another opponent Argentina will be expected to beat on paper, should provide an opportunity to restore confidence in their title defence, before possible meetings with Switzerland, Colombia and England on the road to the July 19 final.
The Pharaohs are one of only two African teams still standing, alongside Morocco, after beating Australia on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the previous round.
Egypt’s strengths lie in their defensive organisation and competitive spirit, while relying on the brilliance of Mohamed Salah and the pace of Omar Marmoush in attack.
Salah, who had been an injury doubt before facing Australia, delivered a quiet performance but showed his personality by converting his penalty with a panenka.
Currently without a club after bringing his outstanding spell at Liverpool to an end, Salah is refusing to dwell on what could be his final major tournament and has urged his team-mates to play without fear.
“I told the boys this is the biggest stage you can play on,” Salah said. “‘Enjoy it and don’t let the pressure catch up with you.'”
The same message will be delivered by the other No. 10 taking to the pitch in Atlanta.
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by Guillermo Barros, AFP
