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Argentina Ride out Lionel Messi’s Absence for Vital Win over Chile
Published: June 7, 2016
The Albiceleste rode their luck early on Monday night, but, ultimately, a 2-1 win was more than deserved as they took some measure of revenge over Chile for the Copa America final defeat just under a year ago. In the absence of their captain and talisman, the likes of Angel Di Maria and Ever Banega stood up to be counted.
Messi's will-he, won't-he saga dominated headlines in the hours leading up to this Group D opener. The Barcelona star had suffered a back injury in the Albiceleste's sole friendly against Honduras last week, limping off the field as an entire nation held its breath.
It is impossible to gauge how much the captain's subsequent trip to Spain to answer tax fraud charges, per AP (via Sky Sports) may have held back his recovery. Perhaps, with four or five days of uninterrupted recovery in the United States alongside his team-mates, he would have made the cut.
But at this point that is pure conjecture. Coach Gerardo Martino made the decision to leave La Pulga on the bench for the first, and most daunting, fixture Argentina will face until the knockout phase.
And thanks to a sturdy team performance, the twin objectives of taking three points and ensuring Messi would not be risked were both fulfilled.
Without their star, an unfamiliar Albiceleste were on show. Martino puts great stock in reproducing the possession-based football most closely associated with Barcelona, but Santa Clara saw a side more reminiscent of Real Madrid take on Juan Antonio Pizzi's South American champions.
The three central midfielders stayed in close proximity to one another throughout the first half, rarely pushing forward. Gonzalo Higuain took on Karim Benzema's role of the No. 9 charged wit...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football
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