Beyond Argentina’s qualification for the quarterfinals of the World Cup, find out what caught the attention of our journalist at Al-Rayyan on Saturday.
Special Envoy to Al-Rayyan
FAVORITES
Messi, respect
And 1000 for Lionel Messi. A 1000th professional match and, of course, a goal, Argentina’s first in their victory over Australia (2-1) on Saturday at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. Like its team, the Pulga started at a trot before rewarding spectators and viewers with one of its specialties, a delicate left paw, low to the ground, like a caress. His 789th goal between the selection, Barça and Paris Saint-Germain. Add to that 338 total assists. Did you say monstrous? Engine of his team on Saturday, he then clearly raised his tone in the second half, taking advantage of the spaces left by the Australian defense to the delight of the boiling public who had gathered in the stands of Al-Rayyan and would have added a decisive pass to his collection without an awkward Lautaro Martinez. Messi opening the scoring at the World Cup? A habit. He has now done it six times, a record, one more.
Welcome to Buenos Aires
What an atmosphere… As soon as their favorite players entered, the fiery Argentinian supporters, in a situation of virtual monopoly in the stadium, broke their voices and we understood that the evening would be hot, at least in the stands. The anthem taken up in chorus by the whole stadium, including Leo Messi and his little comrades on the lawn. Behind, the South American songs took to the guts every time. After a few moments of silence, the time to let the drums rock or hear a few timid Australian songs, it started up again, always more intense, higher in all. Powerful, heavy, strong vocals. And multiple messages of love to Leo Messi, with each dribble of the Parisian or almost, at the limit of caricature and blissful adoration in front of his genius. After the final whistle, the communion between this incredible public and the players. Even the usually impassive Messi joined in the fun, all smiles. Which public still sang for long minutes. While the stadium was slowly emptying, the kop actually continued to roar for an eternity, more than half an hour after the final whistle in fact! There was still a reserve. That’s good: they will do it again on December 9 (8 p.m.) in Lusail, against the Netherlands, in the quarters.
Australia fought until the end
Admittedly, this Australian team, second in the group of France, is too limited to hope to win against Argentina. But the Socceroos never looked down, they fought like hell and could even have equalized through the so-called Garang Kuol after extra time without an exceptional save by Emiliano Martinez. Almost a miracle for the Albiceleste. Kuol who incidentally became the youngest player to appear in the knockout phase of the World Cup since Pelé in 1958 (18 years and 79 days against 17 years and 249 days). These days, we are delighted to take the opportunity to wink at the Brazilian legend.
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CLAW STRIKES
30 minutes in the desert
Before Lionel Messi’s goal, shortly after half an hour, we were on the verge of falling asleep in the stands of this (magnificent) Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. Nothing to get your teeth into, inaccuracies galore, commitment and intensity, of course, but no solution on either side. Nothing. Nothingness. Obviously, with the goal of the break signed Julian Alvarez, that of Enzo Fernandez against his camp and multiple opportunities on both sides at the very end of the meeting, the level went up a notch, several notches in fact. The end game was a bit crazy to be honest. Still happy. There was room after this start…
Read alsoWorld Cup: Messi in the 1000, Argentina in the quarterfinals
Ryan celebrates Christmas early
Australia in the quarter-finals? It would have taken a miracle, or at least a major feat. So if the goalkeeper and captain, Mathew Ryan, starts giving presents, it’s mission impossible… What a fly it was for the Socceroos goalkeeper to try to dribble past two opposing attackers in front of his goal… And what had to happen happened, with this goal from Julian Alvarez for the South American break. Let’s not be dishonest, said Mathew Ryan also saved his team at the very end of the game (3 saves in total), frustrating Lautaro in particular. The damage was already done… Said Lautaro could also figure in our scratches. He’s come off the bench and with so little confidence in front of goal, he’s unlikely to find a place in Argentina’s starting XI anytime soon…