By Graham Ruthven
Not for the primary time, Argentina wanted a diminutive attacker to supply a second of magic to win a match final week. The one distinction was that it wasn’t Lionel Messi who conjured it up. As an alternative, it was Thiago Almada who netted a stunner to offer La Albiceleste a slender 1-0 victory in a vital 2026 World Cup qualifier in opposition to Uruguay.
Messi watched from Miami the place he’s present process rehab for an harm picked up enjoying for Inter Miami earlier than the worldwide break. The Main League Soccer membership are tight-lipped at one of the best of occasions in relation to Messi’s health standing and so it’s unclear whether or not the adductor pressure will maintain him out for any nice time frame.
Even when Messi is again in motion shortly, Argentina should look to construct one thing in preparation for when their greatest-ever participant lastly calls it a day. With the 37-year-old at the moment sidelined, the 2022 World Cup winners will get a glimpse of what a post-Messi future will appear to be after they face Brazil on Tuesday evening.
Towards Uruguay final week, Lionel Scaloni arrange his assault to play off Julián Alvarez with Almada within the left half-space and Giuliano Simeone on the appropriate aspect. Argentina have been comfortable to concede plenty of possession to open up area in fast transition with Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández and Leandro Paredes snug controlling the ball within the center after they may.
Alvarez led the road for Argentina as they gained the 2022 World Cup, however he has developed rather a lot as a centre ahead since then. In Qatar, the then Manchester Metropolis participant was used as one thing of a ‘False 9.’ He was within the workforce to create area for others round him. Now, Alvarez is a difference-maker in his personal proper, as he has demonstrated for Atlético Madrid this season.
Simeone is one other who has made an affect for Atleti lately with the 22-year-old an irrepressible drive out and in of possession. He won’t be essentially the most refined in plenty of his attacking play, however Simeone is carrying his successful mentality into the Argentinean nationwide workforce. He’s an asset.
Almada produced the game-winning second, discovering the again of the web with a laser from exterior the field. The 23-year-old has made a superb begin at Lyon since making the transfer to Ligue 1 from Botafogo in January and can be rising in stature for Argentina. He will certainly have a job to play on the 2026 World Cup.
Nico González got here off the bench within the second half whereas Bayer Leverkusen’s Exequiel Palacios was additionally launched to supply extra muscle within the centre of the pitch as Argentina protected their lead. The highly-rated Nico Paz was additionally within the squad having caught the attention for Como in Serie A this season.
In fact, none of those gamers are Messi. No one is. If all goes nicely, Argentina will nonetheless be capable of name on the previous Barcelona quantity 10 subsequent summer season when La Albiceleste will probably be defending their title. Messi may be enjoying in MLS, however at his greatest he’s nonetheless able to successful a match on the prime degree.
The priority for Scaloni have to be that Messi’s latest harm file casts doubt on his capability to play high-intensity matches in fast succession. He has missed plenty of soccer since making the transfer to Inter Miami two years in the past. This season, Messi has began simply two out of 5 MLS fixtures. Final season, he began solely 16 video games.
For the 2026 World Cup and past, Scaloni should construct one thing for Argentina that is sensible and capabilities with or with out Messi. There are indicators he’s already doing this – it wasn’t simply Messi who missed final week’s World Cup qualifying win over Uruguay, however Lautaro Martínez and Paulo Dybala too.
“The nationwide workforce is a workforce. When one is lacking, one other steps up,” defined Scaloni after Almada’s objective put Argentina on the point of rubber-stamping World Cup qualification. “We had some crucial absentees, however we’ve got nice gamers to exit on the sphere. The workforce is at all times extra than simply the names.”
Argentina enter Tuesday’s match in opposition to Brazil seven factors away from their rivals on the prime of CONMEBOL qualifying. The Seleção have recovered after a sluggish begin to the marketing campaign, however Argentina are very a lot seen because the dominant drive within the area proper now. A house victory on Tuesday would additional affirm this whereas exhibiting La Albiceleste are looking forward to the following era. A era with out Messi.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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