The little genius in the flesh
I was so fortunate on so many levels to be at the Argentina v Egypt game yesterday.
If the England game on Sunday was the best so far, then yesterday ran it close. It was heartbreaking for the Egyptians, but to see Lionel Messi in the flesh and watch in awe as all around me their supporters made a cacophony of noise made for a truly memorable day.
Like most of the world I was gutted for Cape Verde when they went out to Argentina in extra time in the last round, but I knew I was going to the game yesterday so deep down I was really excited to watch the GOAT in the flesh.
Messi scored one, created another as Argentina completed a 13-minute comeback, one of the World Cup’s greatest. It was an honour to be in their company.
Watching him, he hardly moved from walking pace, and he had a first half penalty saved by the brilliant Mostafa Shobeir, but the little maestro appears in areas of the final third of the pitch with aided telekinesis.
Afterwards the gigantic stadium screens trained their eyes on the little genius as he cried his eyes out. He and his teammates were minutes from heading home but despite Messi having a very quiet game he drove his team towards turning the game on its head.
99% of the 68,239 crowd in the Atlanta Stadium (nee Mercedes Benz) was supporting Argentina, my hotel was full of South American’s that travel in big numbers to see their country.
Yet, I can’t help but get behind an underdog and after they abominably had a beautiful goal, probably the tournament’s best, disallowed by VAR for a coming together over 100 yards from the goal, my full support turned to Salah & co.
They were already ahead at the break after Ibrahim headed home. Then 10 minutes after the VAR cancelled goal Zico, named after the Brazilian legend, scored Egypt’s second following another wonderful breakaway.
Me and my mates may have celebrated that goal a bit too hard and we were getting some stares and comments from everyone around us.
The Pharaoh’s had defended heroically all game, but at 2-0 they needed to start smacking the ball out of the stadium and taking their time, but they didn’t and when Messi crossed for Romero to make it 2-1 I think we all knew what was going to come next.
The only surprise was that Argentina won in normal time and not in ET.
It was a fantastic day and memorable experience. We had blinding seats, and great access to cool stuff in the magnificent stadium, but for the second time in a few nights I lay in bed last night and my head was buzzing.
Shame about Argentina’s tendency to thuggery and cheating….
One of the aspects of this World Cup is how sad it has been to finally witness the inevitable decline of Messi and Ronaldo. Messi did play an important role in Argentina’s revival despite being a shadow of his old self but there was no such comfort for Ronaldo. Neither of them has ever been amongst my favourite players but I salute them both for the important roles that they have played both for club and country.
Strangely, I will miss them.
What a strange comment. The guy is on 8 goals!
I hope the doping tests still work
Whatever was in the Argentinians water I the last waterbreak can I order the ingredients? 😃
Wow CA what an experience to be there….I was glued to the TV and the game was brilliant…Argentina are going to be a tough nut to crack !!!
I thought the crowd noise was similar to a full house at The Valley 😃 😊
Nah. Didn’t quite match the Covered End in full voice 😀
👍👍👍
The apostrophe’s use before the s on the plural spelling of a simple noun is heinous for which there can be no excuses.
Apologies. I had to lay my proofreader’s off….