In a match counting for the qualifications of the 2022 World Cup without much importance, since it has already composted its ticket for Qatar last November, Argentina largely dominated Venezuela, in the evening from Friday to Saturday in Buenos Areas. His Parisians were omnipresent: Leandro Paredes started as a starter, Angel Di Maria was decisive and Lionel Messi received a standing ovation. Here is what to remember from this evening.
The Bombonera ovation
Heckled by the Parisian public, Lionel Messi can always count on the love of the Argentine people. Back home, he was given an ovation for a long time by the Bombonera, like his teammates, in an evening disputed at a fairly calm pace. ” I’ve been happy here in Argentina for a while. It’s beautiful to savor with this audience and this selection, like winning the Copa America with a wonderful group”he savored after the meeting, for what was the last game of the Albiceleste at home until the World Cup (November 21-December 18).
A quiet victory
Faced with a Venezuela already eliminated from the race for the World Cup, Argentina took the match on their own and dominated from start to finish, with 73% possession of the ball and 16 shots to 3. Lionel Scaloni’s men opened the score in the first half, thanks to a nice collective movement concluded by Nicolas Gonzalez (1-0, 35th). They then increased the mark by Angel Di Maria, before Messi completed the success, dropped by the marking, at the end of the match (3-0, 82nd).
Decisive Di Maria… and towards international retirement?
Di Maria did not start the game as a starter, but his return to play, in the 70th minute, changed the face of the Albiceleste. Launched in depth, he scored the best goal of the match with a dive which he has the secret at the entrance to the surface, after having played the defense (2-0, 79th). On Messi’s goal, he delivered a real caviar, lobbing the entire defense. Grateful for all the love he received during the evening and at the end of his contract at PSG, he, at 34, confided on Instagram that “it was probably [son] last match with this jersey in Argentina”, hinting at an international retirement after the World Cup.
Messi opens up about his future
At the end of the match, “La Pulga”, also 34, was asked about his future, in club as in selection. “After the World Cup, I’m going to have to take stock of a lot of things, whether it’s going well or badly, he replied, without wanting to say too much. I think of what is coming and which is very close, and it is the game against Ecuador (Tuesday). Then, the preparation matches in September and October. Then the World Cup. And then, I don’t know. “For PSG fans, you will have to read between the lines.