Few things in life are certain. According to Thomas Jefferson, there are two inexorable phenomena: death and the Treasury. It would be necessary to add the left foot of Leo Messi, capable of uncorking the marker in the two games of Argentina in Qatar. The left boot of ten – without an inflamed ankle – is the best compass, the one that points the way, it is a dream catcher, the one that holds the key to glory, the one that can open the seas and even irrigate the desert of the gulf for the albiceleste .
The fans of Argentina and Mexico are predisposed to hysteria and anguish. It is not strange that they are always on the verge of crying or make an apology for sobbing. “Don't cry for me, Argentina”, is the song of Evita Perón's speech to the shirtless in the musical. "Sing and don't cry", intoned the Mexican fans. And that lump in the throat, that oppressed chest, that tear duct that moves on the verge of being moved flew over the Lusail stadium. Tension was chewing in the environment. While on the field, the game was physical, clashes proliferated, everything was protested, interruptions followed one another and nervousness took over the two teams, more concerned with the referee than with the ball.
Messi was seen hating the game, which was ugly, tiresome, without continuity. At minute 50, the statistics reflected 20 fouls, twelve Mexican. This was the duel when Di María found Messi in three quarters. It was one of the first times that Héctor Herrera had gotten confused and had left the front uncovered. And ten was clear. He controlled, raised his head and charged his left leg to set the ball at the base of the post. The ball, as if it were remote controlled, overcame a sea of legs, dodged obstacles, nobody touched it, nor could it be deflected, leaving Ochoa's stretch sterile.
It was not just any goal. It was Messi's eighth goal in the World Cups, the same as Maradona, on the night that he reached the 21 games that Pelusa played. Of course, all of Leo's have arrived in the group stage, none –for the moment– in the qualifying rounds, unlike Diego.
The 1-0 was a switch. Pablo Aimar, Scaloni's second coach, was seen overwhelmed on the bench. In the stands, the people were unleashed. From personal anguish he went to global euphoria.
On the other side, on the bench, Gerardo Martino, from Rosario as Messi, idol of Newell's, former coach of the albiceleste who lost two finals on penalties. If Mexico had beaten Argentina, Tata would have had to live a nightmare when he returned to his country similar to that of Moacir Barbosa, the Brazilian goalkeeper in the 1950 World Cup who was blamed for the Maracanazo and who was never allowed to forget the affront. In 1993 he wanted to visit the canarinha before flying to the United States and they threw him out in a bad way without being able to access the facilities.
Messi's goal also did Martino a favor, although right now the coach doesn't know or understand it, already on the tightrope in Mexico.
