There it stood, the very epitome of what the game is all about. The preceding 35 minutes had been uneventful – a polite way of describing the boredom – but then Lionel Messi gained control and started to scurry.
He was traversing the field from right to left, his speed accelerating as the group of adversaries in orange began to panic. Without skipping a beat, Messi confused everyone and expertly passed the ball in the opposite direction, setting up Nahuel Molina with an unmissable opportunity.
As expected, Molina executed the finish flawlessly, directing the ball into the corner of the Netherlands’ goal. The ensuing celebrations were ecstatic, but it felt as though they were in reverence of the creator’s genius rather than the finisher’s final touch.
Lionel Messi brilliantly played a pass that perfectly found Nahuel Molina (who was positioned on the right side) to score Argentina’s first goal of the match.
The pass he made was truly extraordinary, and he proceeded to successfully score a goal later in the second half.
We become emotionally invested in sports because we crave those incredible moments that make us jump out of our seats, grab the person sitting beside us, and exclaim, “Look! Look!” Deep down, we know they have seen what we have seen, but in the excitement of it all, we can’t help ourselves.
Think about the chip Tiger Woods made in slow motion into Augusta’s 16th hole in 2005, or Ben Stokes’ switch-hit at Headingley in 2019, or Usain Bolt accelerating like a rocket to win the 100 meters gold at the 2012 Olympics. These dates and events are etched in our memories because we knew we were witnessing unparalleled brilliance, something that made us gather around the TV in awe. And once again, Messi has done it, effortlessly conjuring up magic on the field. With just a quick glance to his right, everyone was spellbound by his brilliance.
Messi is currently displaying moments of greatness comparable to legendary athletes like Usain Bolt during his prime. In the future, it is highly likely that he will be seen playing for Inter Miami in the MLS as he nears the end of a career that seems almost supernatural.
During this phase, Messi will experience a sense of tranquility, devoid of pressure and unnecessary drama. Gone will be the astonishing feats that would leave people in awe for days. Think back to those unforgettable nights in the Champions League with Barcelona, the iconic goals in finals against Manchester United, the remarkable free-kick against Liverpool, and the astonishing display against Arsenal, where his ball control was as skillful as a pickpocket on Las Ramblas.
But amidst all of that, the pass he made in this particular game was nothing short of artistry. It was a stroke of brilliance that brought life to the entire picture. The outcome of the match should have undoubtedly favored Argentina, especially after Messi effortlessly converted a penalty in the second half, doubling their lead.
It was impossible to doubt his ability to score from the spot, allowing him to reach an impressive milestone of 95 goals for his country. With a lead of 41 goals over Gabriel Batistuta, he solidified his position as Argentina’s all-time leading goal scorer. This goal also marked Messi’s 10th at a World Cup and 23rd at a major tournament, placing him on par with the great ‘Bati-gol’.
Messi has equaled the number of World Cup goals scored by Argentine legend Gabriel Batistuta. However, it is puzzling how Argentina managed to squander their advantage and lose their composure against the Dutch team’s long ball strategy. This incident highlights the significant impact Messi has on the Argentine team. When you examine their starting lineup, it becomes apparent that they lack the support of past players like Simeone, Zanetti, Mascherano, Veron, Aguero, and Tevez. Despite this, Argentina is still in contention for the ultimate prize, thanks to the incredible talent of Messi. Reflect on his remarkable assist to Molina and appreciate the privilege of witnessing his extraordinary abilities during this era.
