The ESPN FC crew reacts to Argentina's 2-0 win over Poland in the 2022 World Cup. Both teams advance to the Round of 16. ✔ Subscribe to ESPN+: espnplus.com/soccer/youtube ✔ Subscribe to ESPN FC on RU-vid: bit.ly/SUBSCRIBEtoESPNFC
Messi has nothing to do with it , he was smacked on the face and it was natural for him to feel the contact and fall down but that Ref with VAR and still called it was embarrassing
You should pray to not meet Brasil in the semifinals. I see many mistakes in Argentina defense. It’s a problem against teams that attack well just like Brazil and France.
Messi's importance to this team goes unrecognised in many ways. People think messi is important as he scores and creates goals. But there's whole lot to it, argentina gets numerical advantage in midfield because 3-4 opponents always remain around messi to restrict his movement. Messi has been so accurate in his passes that his ball switch to acuna has always been accurate and landed dangerously.
@@mncedisimfungquza9320 for not giving the ball away?! I mean what do u want from a CAM?! Just for once, for once I want you to watch his heat map, and watch where he was playing majority of the game, watch the amount of big chances he created, watch how many key passes he made. It's true it goes unrecognized because people don't realize how tough it is to make those pin point passes even when u have almost 4 players surrounding you at all times, he attracts so many players to himself which in return opens up a lot of spaces for others, u won't realize that because u never ever stepped foot in a football field before, majority of football fans are like that. I have been a CAM because I have liked to control the game, and ik how important it is to have someone who can attract good no of players to themselves. And i will also like to add how important it is to have a properly functioning midfield when u do that role. And Messi had it this game. Again, I understand u don't realise how tough it is and it's alright, I mean. But again, just for once look at his heat map.
As a polak they tend to have weak game plans . In this one it was park the bus and go through on goal difference if they didn’t draw. It technically worked but by a hair.
That wasn't a penalty at all but despite missing penalty he was the best player on the pitch.his ability to find his teammates and break the defence with a single pass is incomparable. He created so many chances but his teammates couldn't capitalize
@@TanayVaidya he is developed in River Plate but the scouting of Benfica is really good. As always Benfica earning loads of money from a player transfer
@@inshankc5492 I am still beyond salty that Barcelona allowed Alex Grimaldo to walk away from La Masia. He has grown into a beast. But good on Benfica for picking him out.
@@ashaazimroz9775 That's true but VAR has been so inconsistent. What annoys me is that this could have easily not been called a penalty in another game or by a different crew. It's been all over the place in terms of how strictly they enforce the rules. Either way just glad we still won the game despite the miss.
@Lucas Liew you said Ghana i thought you were talking about a Pen for Ghana , yeah that wasn't a Pen also , a clear dive but Refs these days call anything
I agree with Ale. It feels like something clicked today for Argentina where they realize they can all be dangerous on their own, not just dangerous through Messi. Incredible to see two great goals without much Messi involvement because now opponents face a catch 22 of crowding Messi vs guarding the other dangerous players on the Argentine team that will fill those spaces. Also Acuña has a great 1st half and produced some great chances!
Today the rest of the inexperienced team realised they can do it in WC too, after that inspiring comeback from their Messiah against Mexico. Also, these players started to make use of messi when defenders concentrate too much on him. Its simple, they stepped up, especially De paul was so efficient, along with enzo distributed the ball so quickly which made all the difference.
Messi was in Cristiano Ronaldo mode. He was looking for HIS goal and do not even celebrate too much his partners goal. Sometimes he needs to pass more often the ball instead of insist with his classic plays because Argentina national team is bigger and more important than even Lionel Messi.
Australia have always (only time) lost a knockout game in the FIFA World Cup to the eventual champions. In 2006, Australia won in the penalties in the playoff against a South American nation, and they were in a group which had the Defending Champions, they made it out of the group and lost the Round of 16 match to Italy. Italia went on to win the final. Everything is the same this time as well, only difference is this time it’s Argentina who will take the place of Italy.
@@ThePinguPenguin you bet mate and even though I'm Aussie it would be great to see Messi get a world cup winners medal...maybe in 4 years hopefully🙏 🤞👍
Yes, 2006 Italian player took a dive and won the penalty which saw them through. Italy were down to 10 men and Aussies had a really good chance of advancing. But look what's happened to them since. Disasters in 2010 and 2014 and then, for the first time failing to qualify back to back 2018 and now. Karma always comes back ...
One thing is clear - Poland will have to play a completely different game if they want to have even a remote chance against France. I felt sorry for both Mexico and Saudi Arabia because both teams really did play good football and attempted to score goals - unlike Poland yesterday.
Well they also press and run like crazy. Enzo Fernandez such a postive for them in the centre of the midfield. Argentina deserve to go through as group toppers.
Yes even as a messi fan I knew that was not a pen and I also didnt want argentina to win like that. It was a total dominance by argentina and Messi has his best game today despite missing the penalty..I saw Argentina just like they were before the WC not Messi dependencia.
As a Messi fan its little sad to see him lose the ball that often now, his body can't keep up with his brain commands anymore but his passing and vision is still best out there.
That dive against ghana is a disgrace by Penaldo to a 300 year old sport . After insulting multiple coaches blaming his own teammates and trying to steal goal from his own countrymen penaldo is now trying to insult a 300 year old sport of football by diving against Ghana and no VAR check also shooting the ball into the net after referee already blown the whistle and talking to portugal players. Only player to win CRIMINAL D'or after assaulting a child and 6 sexual assault cases.
The guy saying that Poland didn't deserve to get out of the group certainly forgot that Poland beat Saudi Arabia 2:0, to which Argentina lost. Also, Mexico only tied with Poland, because Lewandowski missed the penalty kick. Getting out of the group is based on 3 games played, not one. Argentina was clearly better than Poland today, but Poland with a win and a tie surely deserved to be where they are. Have in mind, that Poland didn't need to play offensively in this game, as even a loss almost certainly guaranteed Poland to get out of the group. I don't think Argentina would be so happy today if this was a round of 8 game, where defensive playing does not benefit anyone. Let's see how Poland plays against France, which btw, is a much stronger team than Argentina. If they play like they did today, I will agree with the critics, but if Poland plays a completely different game, I will expect today's critics to apologize for their comments about Polish team.
Yes but I can't help but feel like Mexico would have given France a better challenge meanwhile if Poland play like they did today France will run riot on them
I can't help but feel that Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been given so many gifts by FIFA and refereeing it's shocking. They really are pushing for a Argentina-portugal final.
Oh yes, like that so called technology in the ball call. They've been robbing ronaldo from day 1, go see the goal v Serbia that puts them in the WC22, but got called back, the ref apologized but no difference, portugal has to go to playoffs
When the referee called for the pen and the camera showed Szczęsny I told my dad that he's a great penalty saver and he's probably going to save it. With the confidence that I saw in him and that he was relaxed I became 100% sure that he will save it and he did. He's just world class and one of the reasons that Saudi Arabia didn't advanced. I think Saudi Arabia and Canada are good team and they lost to experience than anything else. I think they have a lot to offer in the future. Messi was great in this game and he showed why he's one of the best players of all time. He's linking, dribbling players like nothing and passes are all great. The pass for the second goal was excellent
All supporters who were skeptical after the famous loss to Saudi Arabia you see what i meant. It was wasn't over by one game now we are in the last 16 toping the group. Argentina is the real deal.
I still don't see Argentina and Portugal, both of them going through past the quarter finals stage. As good as Argentina was today, Poland were horrendous.
Yes we as a Messi fans accept that's not a Penalty. But Messi has a spectacular game after that. Time God he missed that goal otherwise that would be a robbery. Vamos Messi and Argentina 💪💪
It was not the result everyone was looking for in terms of Argentina needing to show a world champion performance but it was a game that showed that even against a team that needs to defend with 5,6 or even 7 men at the back they can find the small mistakes and punish the team. They could have easily won 4-0 or 5-0 if the poland GK didnt turn into prime Casillas-Buffon-Neuer
Because Ronaldo scored that penalty and hence the three points would be affected by a dubious decision. Messi missed the penalty so the game was decided elsewhere. Not that hard to read unless you just want to find something to bash about
Shaka, Alvarez scored the second goal Not Fernández. As a Liverpool fan i can't help but show my admiration for Alvarez. This young chap is the future of Argentina and City. Congrats to Brigton too having their own MacAllister on the scoreboard.
Whenever a Defender tackles an attacker ,, and the attacker touches the ball first and moves it away and receives contact from defender soley, that's a mistimed challenge and constitutes a deadly foul . IN here too , but it's the hand this time ... It's a foul and mistimed challenge from sczesnny... Even if you are goalkeeper , you just can't go around throwing punches in everyones faces...if sczesny had touched the ball, then it would have been legal but by the looks of it it's like a punch in the face...... Doesn't matter if it was heading out or in..
@@damifash758 ok missy fan maybe missy should score first before thinking of stealing goals. Why you so obsessed with the top international, club, ucl goalscorer? Have a nice day missy fan 😂
As a Messi fan I wanted him to miss that penalty because it wasn’t unfair. We’re not like the Cr7 clowns who crave a win even at the expense of cheating. Wanted them to win but fairly and they did that and did it without relying on Messi to find the goals. If they can play their own game individually and as a team then they can go all the way
I saw nearly the same Messi of 8-10years ago. Despite missing the controversial pen, he provided the much needed leadership to his team he was terrific.Huge credit to the Saudis, they are bold, tenacious, strong and technically sound. The money spent on the league has yielded a massive dividend I'm so proud of them.
This turncoat changing his mind. He picked Argentina. He should own it. Don't jump ship after their opening match. Frank picked Denmark and Canada in the final, which was a bit hopeful, but at least he stuck to his guns.
@@Andy224 did you really see the match , Messi was still the best on the pitch , most chances created , most key passes , most dribbles completed and most shots on target.
Jan is right you can't keep criticising the countries and expect a team like Poland to play a beautiful game with that kind of squad it not just possible
not necessarily beautiful but more like passionate, play with heart and not just leave it in Mexico's hands... like try to knock out Argentina like a real contest
Messi's weakness is penalty and to be fair, that penalty call wasn't right. Other than that, he was still Argentina's most dangerous asset in attacking. The vision he has would make Xavi and Scholes smile. The best part of that match though was Argentina playing as a team and the youngsters being more daring. Poland however was playing too safe and Saudi won for them. It definitely felt like a 5 hour game. I bought ice cream to eat during the match. I didn't even get up and those ice creams were abandoned.
@@damifash758 not to mention how many chances Messi created in this game.. this guy commentating above acts like Messi was a ghost.. Look at how accurate some of those overhead passes were, even some of his cuts behind the defence.
Dude Messi needs to rest during matches. He’s doing fine not pressing. He plays for a team that understands this dynamic and they dont have a problem with that
@@lexxluda1874 Messi needs to rest? Why? You have Mordic running around like crazy in midfield at 37 and joining in the attack too. Messi should definitely put in more effort. Opponents get the ball to the midfield against Argentina way too easily. No one's asking him to sprint, but he should close down quicker. If Brazil and France get to the mid field easily it'll be tough for Argentina to withstand their attacks.
@@floydmartyres9157 Messi and Modric are not the same kind of player, don’t produce the same amounts of outcomes and I’m a Madrid fan, if you don’t know the reason why or who first told Messi that he can walk around during matches then this convo is a waste of time.
I like VAR and I think it reduces refs mistakes, but my problem with it is the slow motion. Slow motion makes the actions look worst than they are. I'm 100% that if the ref saw the action with the normal speed he won't give it as a pen.
