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by Philipina A. Marcelo
And they did it! The Argentina National Team beat Costa Rica... and they're through to the quarterfinals in Copa America!
Haven't thoroughly checked the sports news to see if the Argentinian press is singing a different tune now that Lionel Messi has found a way to make his fascinating skills weave magic on the pitch that bound the Albicelestes into a
Argentina's Number 10, Lionel Messi (center), with
attackers, Sergio Aguero (left) and Gonzalo Higuain
(right). (Photo: Fernando Vergara/AP)real team - thinking, feeling the ball and moving as one on the pitch. And in the end winning, 3-0, over Costa Rica. Good, good, good!
Pressured to come up with a strategy that will bring out the best in his star-studded side, Sergio Batista moved back Messi to the midfield to drive his team's attacks. The natural Number 10 didn't disappoint in his new role. He created opportunities with quick burst of movements and sharp passes that connected the team into an attacking pack, with Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel di Maria in front. And it worked! Like the magician that he is, Messi covered the field dribbling - fast and beautifully, passing the ball, setting the pace and rhythm of his team's play, building their confidence as they mounted their attack, pulling the Costa Rica defense to himself to open up opportunities for Argentina's attackers, all the time with an eye on the goal - not for himself, but for Argentina. Vintage Messi!
Sergio Aguero slotted two big ones, one from picking up where Fernando Gago left off, after Costa Rica's goalkeeper, Leonel Moreira, couldn't exactly kill the attempt for good, and another from a delectable pass from Messi. Di Maria settled all doubts on Argentina's noteworthy win, sealing their victory with a third goal from another Messi prettiful assist. All these in a beautiful second-half of awesome football from the blue-and-white shirts. And it's about time, too! While it was finally a decent show by the Copa hosts, Costa Rica fielded its heavy-on-defense Under-23 team... so, it remains to be seen whether Argentina's newfound strategy, which finally took advantage of Messi's brilliance and made the whole team coalesce into a real force to reckon with on the pitch, is the winning formula. We shall see.... when the Albicelestes face in the quarter-finals the mighty Uruguay National Team that reached the semis in the 2010 World Cup. In the meantime, back to work - at 11:00 PM! And keep working until... well, until, uhm... until it's time to go back to work again?! Ugh! :(
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