Messi Disappears: Argentina Player Ratings

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Post on Nov 15, 2024

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Messi Disappears: Argentina Player Ratings - A Night of Frustration in Qatar

Argentina's World Cup campaign stumbled in their opening group match, drawing 1-1 against Saudi Arabia in a shocking upset. While the result was unexpected, the real surprise lay in the invisible performance of their talisman, Lionel Messi.

Here's a breakdown of the Argentina player ratings, reflecting a night of frustration and a performance that fell far short of expectations:

Lionel Messi (5/10): The captain's performance was a complete contrast to his usual brilliance. He seemed unable to influence the game, struggling to connect with his teammates and rarely threatening the Saudi goal. His free-kick goal was a rare highlight, but overall, Messi was a shadow of his usual self.

Lautaro Martinez (6/10): The Inter Milan striker showed glimpses of his usual dynamism, but lacked the clinical edge to convert his chances. He looked isolated at times, struggling to find support from the midfield.

Angel Di Maria (6/10): Despite a goal disallowed for offside, Di Maria provided some attacking spark, showcasing his trademark dribbling skills and delivering dangerous crosses. However, he couldn't sustain his impact throughout the match.

Rodrigo De Paul (6/10): The midfield engine worked tirelessly, dictating the tempo and trying to create chances. However, he was often dispossessed and struggled to find the final pass.

Alexis Mac Allister (6/10): Another midfielder who put in a solid shift but lacked the decisive touch in the final third. He showed good work rate and technical ability, but couldn't unlock the Saudi defense.

Nicolas Otamendi (5/10): The veteran defender looked shaky at times, vulnerable to Saudi attacks. He was caught out of position for the first goal and struggled to maintain his composure.

Cristian Romero (5/10): Similar to Otamendi, Romero had a night to forget. He was often caught out of position and failed to provide the necessary leadership at the back.

Nahuel Molina (6/10): The full-back offered some attacking threat down the right flank, but his defensive contributions were less convincing. He was caught out of position on several occasions and didn't provide the necessary support for the defense.

Marcos Acuna (6/10): The left-back delivered a decent performance, offering some attacking threat and showing good defensive awareness.

Emiliano Martinez (7/10): The goalkeeper had a relatively quiet night, making a couple of crucial saves to keep Argentina in the game. He was a reassuring presence in the penalty area, commanding his box effectively.

Substitutes:

Julian Alvarez (6/10): Brought on to inject some attacking energy, he showed glimpses of his potential but couldn't significantly change the game's direction.

Enzo Fernandez (6/10): The young midfielder provided some fresh energy and creativity but lacked the experience to make a real impact.

Paulo Dybala (N/A): Came on too late to make an impact.

Overall, Argentina's performance was a huge disappointment. While the team lacked fluidity and struggled to break down the Saudi defense, the absence of Messi's usual influence proved the most significant factor in the draw. This is a wake-up call for the Argentines, who will need to significantly improve their performance if they want to achieve their World Cup dreams.