Sao Paulo: Lionel Messi is often the smallest player on the field. But it is clear that he possesses his own gravitational pull.
Just look at how opposing players - entire teams - drift toward him, one after another, and impulsively flinch at his every step and feint. Look at how magnetically he draws a crowd's collective gaze, how hushed with expectation a building can become whenever he makes a run. Look at how quickly the ball zips its way back to his feet whenever his team feels the slightest bit of anxiety.
Messi's stature, already large, has grown considerably in this World Cup, and it grew somehow bigger still Tuesday as he inspired Argentina to a 1-0 overtime victory over Switzerland at Arena Corinthians. (Highlights)
As the game dragged on, scoreless, it only felt more certain that Messi would crack it open. It was Angel di Maria who scored the game's only goal, in the 118th minute, when a penalty shootout seemed a sure thing. But it was Messi who served Di Maria the ball on a platter after destabilizing the entire Swiss defense with a breathtaking dribbling solo run through the middle of the field.
"We had luck on our side," Messi said, sounding relieved. "We have to take advantage of that and move on."
Argentina moves on to the quarterfinal round, staying alive in this World Cup almost entirely thanks to Messi's individual brilliance, and will face Belgium, a 2-1 winner over the United States.
Messi scored four goals in the group stage, often summoning chances from seemingly nothing to save his team. His output, in truth, has masked Argentina's failure to be the juggernaut its roster suggests it should be.
Post a Comment