Argentina has won the Copa America beating Brazil with a solitary goal thus ending the nation’s 28 year old wait for a trophy in a major tournament.
The millions of fans of Lionel Messi across the world too have heaved a sigh of relief to see the Champion player eventually win a trophy for his country which had been eluding him for quite some time. There were debates, arguments and counter arguments, whether Messi would ever be able to win a trophy for his country and that an absence of which would take away some sheen from his extra ordinary career, all such conjecture has been laid to rest once and for all.
The burden hanging on Messi’s shoulders, at times difficult to bear, evaporated the moment Esteban Ostojich, the Uruguayan referee, signalled the end of the match. Messi went down on his knees in tears as his team mates rushed towards him to embrace the champion. The team wanted to do it for their legend and the tears of joy said it all.
The match , most of it fought in the mid field, ebbed and flowed, a bit scrappy at times, until the 22nd minute of the game, when a terrific through ball from Rodrigo De Paul found Angel Di Maria. The experienced Argentine, very skillfully controlled the ball with his right foot and lobbed it over the rushing Ederson, ever so calmly, to find the net. The shackles were broken and Argentina were ahead. Angel Di Maria’s inclusion in the team had raised lot of questions, however Di Maria proved his critics wrong with a brilliant display when it mattered most.
Brazil then went on the offensive and had most of the possession. Neymar and Richarlson looked dangerous at times, but Argentina defended with gusto, giving no room for Neymar thus blunting his threat. Otamendi, the left back for Argentina, played superbly well and along with Angel Di Maria was the star of the match. Messi received the Player of the Tournament and the Top scorer award while D.Martinez, won the Best Goalkeeper award.
At the end of the day, another sparkle has been added to Messi’s already glittering career and I am certain this victory would be celebrated for days in Argentina.
Finally, Messi did find his talisman in the hour of reckoning and his Angel to be… Di Maria.