Next to Lionel Messi is now Julian Alvarez.
Argentina defeated Croatia 3-0 in the quarterfinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar held at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar at 4:00 am (Korean time) on the 14th. With this, Argentina advanced to the final.
It is true that Messi played his best, but this match cannot be described as Messi’s one-man show. In the 32nd minute of the first half, Álvarez created a penalty kick with a fantastic penetration to help Messi score. Álvarez was lucky six minutes later, but scored the team’s second goal with a solo dribble. Alvarez became the main player in the victory by scoring a key goal with the help of Messi in the 24th minute of the second half.
Argentina advanced to the final thanks to the performances of Messi and Alvarez. It is the first time in eight years since 2014 that Argentina showed a worthy candidate for the championship. In fact, even at the 2010, 2014 and 2018 World Cups, Argentina were always favorites to win. The reason Argentina was evaluated as a candidate for the championship was not only because of Messi. World-class players such as Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria, and Carlos Tevez were evaluated as being able to help Messi, so they were considered as candidates for the championship.
However, no one was a player who properly became Messi’s partner. Every time Argentina went on the attack, Messi was lonely. Even though Messi put in fantastic passes and other players created decisive chances, he couldn’t show his club side in Argentina.
Alvarez is different. Born in 2000, the unfinished player is being reborn as Messi’s best partner in the World Cup. Alvarez did not have long to breathe with Messi. Álvarez wore the national team jersey for the first time last year. After one year of representing Argentina, he is showing a fantastic collaboration with Messi. While Lautaro Martinez isn’t doing his job, Álvarez is clearly easing Messi’s burden with four goals in this World Cup. 토토사이트
Looking at Alvarez as an individual, this is a great achievement. Álvarez became the youngest player since Pele in 1958 to score two goals in a World Cup semi-final. Alvarez is also showing great mentality.
“Whether on the pitch or on the bench, I will cheer for my teammates. We will continue to go this way to make Argentines happy,” he said, showing uncharacteristically professionalism. If Messi is to achieve his ultimate dream of winning the World Cup, Alvarez will have to help him in the final.
The British ‘Telegraph’ praised Alvarez, saying, “Alvarez will be the perfect wrapping paper for Argentina and Messi’s dream of winning the World Cup.”