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Lionel Messi’s Penalty Disaster Sums Up an Argentina That Wilted Under Pressure
Published: June 27, 2016
As Francisco Silva tucked home the winning kick to seal the centenary Copa for Chile after a tense, nasty 0-0 draw, the cameras inevitably panned on Messi. No. 10, the source of so much of Argentina's joyful attacking play this tournament, was visibly distraught.
Messi had spent much of the 120 minutes beforehand trying desperately to invigorate the Albiceleste, but it was a losing cause. The team that had cruised past Bolivia, Panama, Venezuela and the United States had vanished into thin air, taking with it the carefree attitude seldom seen on the international stage.
What reigned in New Jersey were the demons that have haunted the side for the last 23 years. Fear of losing, nerves, a failure to take chances, a timid outlook when decisive voices were needed. And ultimately, even the captain, who for so long had led his team along when heads were down—showing a skipper's personality in droves—could not resist the overwhelming wave of negativity that had infected the entire Argentina team, from coach Gerardo Martino onward.
Chile, one of the fiercest teams in football and with an indomitable spirit, barely seemed to tremble when Arturo Vidal's opening penalty was stopped by Sergio Romero. But when Messi blazed his own effort far over Claudio Bravo's crossbar, it deflated his own team, making the result little more than a foregone conclusion.
One year ago, Gonzalo Higuain and Ever Banega were the villains from the spot. This time around, Lucas Biglia found no way through the sprightly Bravo. Meanwhile Nicolas Castillo, Charles Aranguiz and Je...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football
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