2024-07-21 10:18:08
The triumph at the US tournament was a fitting end to a magical generation of Albiceleste players
İdman.biz presents an article with a link to livesport.ru.
When it comes to sunsets, it’s nearly impossible to top the one enjoyed by Argentina’s “Messi generation,” writes ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle.
It is full of gorgeous hues and vibrant colours, reflecting the joy of winning three major trophies in three years, the most recent being a 1-0 extra-time win over Colombia in the 2024 Copa America final.
It’s easy to forget that the current run follows a period of constant disappointment and multiple final defeats at both the Copa America and the World Cup. But then came the 2021 Copa America, Argentina’s first major trophy in 28 years, accompanied by a huge sigh of relief in the knowledge that Lionel Messi would not be finishing his international career trophyless. The momentum it generated has helped La Albiceleste to the 2022 World Cup, securing their place in the pantheon of the unforgettable and allowing Messi to match another Argentine legend, Diego Maradona. Now that it’s their third in a row, matching Spain’s run of three from 2008 to 2012, it cements their place as a legend.
“This team always surprises everyone,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said through a translator. “They overcame all the difficulties against a very strong opponent, a difficult opponent. And without playing well in the first half. I think we improved in the second half and deserved to win. And in extra time they always make an extra effort, and it’s nice to see that rewarded.”
Sunday’s match further cemented the role of players like Messi, Angel Di Maria and Nicolás Otamendi in Argentina’s history, despite the team not playing particularly well throughout. However, Di Maria, 36, played a key role in what he said would be his final competitive game for the Albiceleste, running fearlessly at opponents.
“Angel has had many great games with us, but this was one of his best,” Scaloni said. “He played well, but he was very pressurized. And when everyone was starting to feel tired, he ran like he was 25. … He’s a legend and he’s leaving us. We’ll try to make him play one more game to say goodbye – a home game, I think he deserves it. It’s like a movie.”
Yet this match was also the final sign that the next generation was ready to come into its own. Scaloni had been talking about it for much of the tournament, and on this night his words proved prophetic. The winner was not scored by Messi or Di Maria, but by Lautaro Martinez.
The Inter Milan striker had done everything he could to convince Scaloni that he deserved a place in the starting line-up, scoring twice after coming off the bench in the group stage and five goals overall before the final. Yet he was still left out of the starting line-up for this match, with Julian Alvarez preferred. But Martinez proved Scaloni’s best asset, coming on seven minutes into extra time. And, as always, the substitution proved decisive, as he capitalised on a superb pass from Giovani Lo Celso to fire past Camilo Vargas into the Colombia goal.
«[Мартинес] “He’s always been my No. 9, always,” Scaloni said. “And he didn’t start in the final, but he showed that he’s a natural goalscorer. Of course, he might have been unhappy about not starting, but he went out there and gave it his all, when he might have gone out there with a completely different attitude. And I think we should appreciate him for that.”
By then, Messi wasn’t even on the pitch. In the 66th minute, Argentina’s icon collapsed with an ankle injury that had grown to the size of a grapefruit. As he sat on the bench, tears were streaming, anguish etched on his face. Yet Argentina hadn’t missed a beat. In fact, they had improved through another substitute, Nicolás González, who appeared to have given Argentina the lead, only for his goal to be (correctly) ruled offside. There were other key players, too. Emiliano Martínez made a number of timely and important saves in goal, including a fingertip deflection of Jefferson Lerma’s effort in the 33rd minute; and Lisandro Martínez was superb in defence, including a crucial header in extra time.
Messi’s reaction suggests that the Inter Miami striker could soon join Di Maria in retiring from international football. If so, Argentina have known this day was coming for some time, especially since Messi turned 37 in June. However, even if you know something is coming, it can still be frustrating. That was certainly the case here, and it came with the hope that Messi would not yet give up on his country.
To think that there was a time when Argentina fans thought Messi didn’t care about the national team. They openly wondered why he couldn’t replicate his performances for Barcelona in Argentina’s successive Copa America and World Cup final defeats. That misconception has long been dispelled, first by his threats to quit after the agonizing 2016 Copa America final defeat to Chile, and then by the trophies he has won. Argentina’s affection for Messi is now evident. When he limped off, almost every La Albiceleste fan bowed before their hero.
Alas, as has happened too often during the America’s Cup, the tournament’s signature event was marred by even more organizational incompetence. Before the match, Scaloni said he hoped the final would be a party, but what he got before the game was a mosh pit that the organizers sometimes struggled to control.
The crowd was dangerously close to becoming a stampede, fuelling fear and desperation as fans tried to protect their loved ones and get into the stadium. Fans were kept out of the stadium as authorities tried to restore some semblance of order. Ultimately, it didn’t work. The gates were opened and an unknown number of ticketless spectators entered the ground, meaning kick-off was delayed by 82 minutes. Both coaches described the delay as “strange”, although they acknowledged it was the same for both teams.
Either way, this is yet another bad press for CONMEBOL, and the latest example of the organization failing to collaborate sufficiently with local organizers to prevent similar events. To be clear, this is not a phenomenon unique to the Copa America. Similar problems arose at the Euro 2020 final (which took place in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic) in London, as well as the 2022 Champions League final in Paris. This is yet another reason why CONMEBOL should have been better prepared.
Fortunately, disaster was averted, and the final ended with an unforgettable moment. Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo declared that Argentina’s achievement “is not a series. It’s an era.” And by the time the trophy was about to be handed to Argentina, Messi’s tears had turned to smiles. And he made sure that his long-time teammates Di Maria and Otamendi helped him lift the trophy amid an explosion of confetti.
Even for a team as legendary as Argentina, this moment was a fitting end to a truly magical generation.
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