HomeCopa AmericaALBICELESTE VANQUISH CELESTE

ALBICELESTE VANQUISH CELESTE

By Shreyas Rai

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A scintillating fixture was on the cards as two legendary characters of the Copa America fairytale came face-to-face in Brazil. A hungry Uruguay stood in front of an Argentina squad still dreaming of lifting an international piece of silverware.

 

 

A stalemate against La Roja meant losing was not worth considering. Whereas Oscar Tabarez’s men looked to commence their Copa America campaign with three perfect points.

 

 

 

A charming friendship on showcase, the quality on the pitch was impeccable. The poacher-duo of Cavani and Suarez looked to stamp their authority whereas Argentina once again banked on their talismanic veteran Lionel Messi to produce magic in Brasilia.

 

 

 

 

La Albiceleste looked close-grained in defence, shutting down Luis Suarez’s and Edinson Cavani’s shops for most parts of the game. The headline-making movement came early on for Rodriguez and Argentina when the Real Betis midfielder found the back of the net.

A flawless galaxy of passes and an exquisite set-piece earned Argentina their much-needed advantage. Messi’s beautiful delivery from a short-corner found Rodriguez’s head who smashed the ball in Uruguay’s net.

 

The match also produced a controversial VAR decision when Edinson Cavani was fouled inside the box by Argentina’s hero, Guido Rodriguez. Although after a few minutes of consultation the referee and VAR agreed that Cavani fell quite easily and the amount of contact was minimal. The replays clearly showed that La Celeste deserved a spot-kick as VAR’s decision raised a few eyebrows.

 

 

The second half produced exceptional amounts of chances for Argentina to increase their advantage but they faltered. Uruguay owned the pitch in the first parts of the second half but a few electrifying substitutions by Scaloni dented Uruguay’s hopes. Argentina somehow managed to hold on to their 1-0 lead as three points were in La Albiceleste’s bag at Brasilia.

 

ARGENTINA LEAD

 

A clash of titans, a brawl of mammoths, or a battle of South American legends. La Celeste’s content with La Albiceleste is considered a festival in South America. Two teams with immense history, pronounced rivalries, and significant friendships. The Argentines needed three points after a draw against Chile had hindered their opening day win whereas for Uruguay it was their first appearance this campaign.

 

 

A dominant first half-display by Lionel Messi’s side was rounded-off by the 13th minute headed goal by the fulcrum of Scaloni’s midfield, Guido Rodrigues. Well! An Argentine goal without Lionel Messi’s contribution is out of the question. A short corner is taken with De Paul, as Lionel Messi with his springy feet and classic turns looked for options.

 

 

 

Took a few defenders out of the equation before serving a dangerous yet perfect delivery on the back post. A leaping Rodrigues had already registered his name in tomorrow’s newspaper as he hunted down the scooped pass to perfection. The ball first rattled with the post before bulging into Uruguay’s net thwarting Galatasaray goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. A perfect finish to a perfect set-piece as Lionel Messi and Guido Rodrigues gambolled in triumph. Argentina’s slender lead was intact as both the teams went into the tunnel at 1-0.

 

NAIL ON PEN

VAR errors in pivotal matches are a match made in heaven. A technology that has constantly come under the scanner once again dropped a mistake in the South American battle. The panache lacking the Uruguayan side found the perfect opportunity to equalise the scoring. A patiently created move started with the towering defenders frustrating the Argentine press. A ball over the top of the Albiceleste defence landed straight into the path of the Uruguayan Red Devil, Edinson Cavani.

 

 

The poacher flamboyantly played a one-two before steaming towards Emiliano Martinez’s goal. Although his world-class run was cut short by goal-scorer Guido Rodriguez’s trailing feet. The Real Betis midfielder had illegally bought down his rival number leaving Cavani on the floor. With the naked eye, it was a nail-on penalty, but the referee shook his head in disagreement.

 

 

Cavani was still screaming in agony as Uruguay’s protests continued. And then technology was bestowed upon to take an important decision. While the commentators and Martinez prepared for a spot-kick, the technology agreed with the referee. A billion replays and a million shouts couldn’t change VAR’s and the referee’s footing as Argentina broke away to earn themselves a corner. La Liga champion Luis Suarez had some violent exchanges with the official from that minute which continued till he walked towards his tunnel at half-time.

 

3-PERFECT POINTS FOR LIONEL SCALONI’S MEN!

 

La Celeste had picked up just one win in their last five matches and the bluntness in Tabarez’s army was visible once again. Whereas their rivals in white and sky blue produced an exemplary performance on Friday. The fact that Uruguay’s magical opportunity came in the last-knockings of the game summed up their performance. Although Argentina couldn’t lead the possession statistics they were directing the scoreline. Creating immense amounts of chances the scoreline should have been 2-0 or 3-0 in Argentina’s favour.

 

 

 

 

A hammering header by Rodrigues broke the shackles but the wriggling Messi troubled Celeste’s backline. Uruguay’s experienced campaigners looked tired and weary as Scaloni’s nimble-witted injection of pace destroyed the Uruguayan dream. Di Maria and Correa were a headache to the defensive-duo of Jimenez and Godin whereas words can’t describe Messi’s role for Argentina.

 

 

 

The Uruguayan crowd rarely blocked Di Maria in the closing minutes and it felt Tabarez’s troops had accepted their fate. Argentina’s perfect display earned them three crucial points as they look to prepare for the Paraguayan challenge. Lionel Scaloni would be satisfied with his team’s flawless exhibition of football and a 1-0 victory bolstered their hopes of silverware.

Shreyas Rai

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