After 28 years, Argentina and Lionel Messi have finally won an international trophy after a 1-0 win over Brazil. Angel Di Maria scored the winner where Ederson had a zero chance of saving.
Lionel Messi finally won an international trophy for his country and added the missing piece to his impressive legacy. Now in Argentina, Messi is an equal to Diego Maradona among Argentina fans because he finally brought a trophy back home.
Messi Finally Makes His Mark on International Football
Lionel Messi Wins His First Trophy With Argentina
Despite not scoring in the final Messi still had an impressive tournament scoring four goals and five assists. Scoring or assisting on nine of Argentina’s 12 goals. Additionally, Messi was emotionally involved in this tournament. Without a doubt, the most glaring example was during the shootout vs Colombia. Messi yells dance now after Yerry Mina penalty was saved by Emiliano Martinez. Obviously, winning this tournament meant a lot to him depicted by all the emotion shown throughout the tournament. That’s what makes international football better than club football, the emotional investment and if you win it all brings happiness to an entire country.
Before winning this final Messi was 0-3 in Copa America finals, all three losses in penalty shootouts and a heartbreaking 1-0 extra-time loss in Germany’s 2014 World Cup Final. It should be noted back in 2014 if a team scored in extra time the game ended. To signify how much Messi wanted to win for his country he would trade all his Barcelona success to win for his country. Now, the football experts said he isn’t on Maradona or Pele level because there are no international trophies for his country to reshape their opinion. Argentina has momentum going into the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Messi Finally Wins In the Blue and White Stripes
Argentina got others to help out Messi to win Copa America. Many players broke out in this tournament for the national team. Mostly notably Martinez, a goalkeeper Argentina fans have been waiting for since Sergio Romero. However, Martinez has confidence and swagger. Obviously shown in the penalty shootout when Martinez would trash talk to the Colombian players. He ended up being successful saving three penalties. Martinez made a huge save in the final off a Richarlison shot. Papu Gomez, a newcomer for the national team, had goals in back to back games in the group stage against Paraguay and Bolivia. Even although Lautaro Martinez got off to a disappointing start he scored when his team needed it the most. Moreover, Martinez had a goal in the quarterfinals vs Ecuador and semifinals vs Colombia.
Messi and Co Finally Make It Count
 Argentina’s defence was sensational all tournament long and consistently defensively organized. What a redemption for Nicolas Otamendi after a poor showing in the 2018 World Cup he was fantastic in Copa America. Rodrigo De Paul had a man of the match performance, his deep ball led to the Di Maria goal. Indeed, Lionel Scaloni might be the manager Argentina have been looking for and the team respects him. Sergio Aguero, an Argentine veteran did not complain about his lack of minutes under Scaloni. Scaloni’s tactics were brilliant he did not start Di Maria until the final. Mixing up the lineups for every game does not give the other team any clear game plan before the match. Argentina should be among the favourites in the upcoming World Cup and if Argentina wins the World Cup Messi is the undisputed goat.
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