It was not an escape from Messi levitating like Maradona in 1986 in the game of his life. Quite the opposite. The man from Rosario participated, omnipresent on his big day, but only with two precise and decisive touches that cleared the play. There was more, much more, in the perfect counterattack, in the combination that will be remembered for decades as the most beautiful and categorical in the World Cup final in Qatar against France. Di María scored, immeasurable in the one-on-one against Lloris.
Argentina needed five players and seven touches to draw a beautiful canvas and transform it into the best goal of the World Cup. Speed and precision came together in a transition that experts describe as 'book'. One of those occasions when the players on the same team seem to have a magnet that constantly attracts the ball. The hard-working French players were always late, unable to blow down the back of any of the passionate Argentines, protagonists of a masterpiece.
France gave away one of many balls throughout their match, frankly it could be improved. Nahuel Molina cleared towards the center with the intention of moving the ball away. At first, McAllister hit the position where he knows by heart that Messi must be. And there the ball ran, like a man possessed, attracted by his divinity. At that moment Argentina was activated. It always happens when they intuit, and it is very often, that the Rosario player will be able to clean up the play, improve it and create advantages for his teammates.
Ten only need two touches. Check and pass. Backwards. Almost without looking, just sensing that Julián Alvárez was listing to the right and that McAllister was running down the middle. The ball reached the next Argentinian, the man from Manchester City, who gave continuity to the first touch to the career of the son of Colorado, an unstoppable freight train that crossed all of France like a dagger through the center. He had no doubts and before Koundé arrived to interrupt him, he subtly hit the ball towards that critical area between goalkeeper and striker. Over there, like an unleashed roadrunner, Di María appeared long before Jugo Lloris to transform the second goal of the final from a cross shot.
It was the play of the World Cup in Qatar. An unforgettable work that will multiply its value over the years. In the event of victory, the Argentines will be in charge of turning it into the new play of all time, as Víctor Hugo Morales described Maradona's against England in 1986. This time without individuality prevailing. If not making the team his great virtue. Because Messi did not need to multiply himself to be the best Messi. This time he wasn't alone in the fight to achieve his dream.
