It’s last 16 now on Villa Watch and Emi Martínez is up first as Argentina take on Australia. Here’s how Villa’s No.1 fared at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium…
Starting his fourth World Cup fixture, Martínez and La Albiceleste (The White and Sky Blue) looked to defeat expectation-exceeding Australia. The winners of this one would take on Louis van Gaal’s Netherlands in the next round after Oranje defeated USA 3-1 earlier in the day.
Lionel Scaloni’s side were the favourites leading into the tie and as a result, the opening exchanges were predictable – Australia would play a low, compact block and try to deny their opponent an opportunity, whilst Argentina would be patient and wait for a mistake or opening in the final third.
For the most part, The Socceroos were successful and prevented their South-American counterparts from finding gaps in behind and carving out a chance. That was until the 35th minute when the supreme Lionel Messi opened the scoring. Following a cleared free-kick, play was recycled and the ball fell at the Argentine captain’s feet. After regaining composure just outside the area, the PSG man brushed it past Matt Ryan and into the bottom corner for 1-0.
That is how the first half would finish with very few chances at either end of the pitch. For the second consecutive game, Emi Martínez had very little to do. Bar the occasional mopping up of play and possession-retaining passes, the 30-year-old ‘keeper had very little involvement in the opening 45 minutes.
In need of a goal, Graham Arnold’s side came out for the second half with more attacking intent and impetus; however, this allowed for more gaps in between their midfield and defensive lines. Scaloni also appeared to have made tactical tweaks at the break, with his team showing more of a desire to press and hassle the opposition players out of possession.
This would lead to the game’s second goal. Rodrigo De Paul and Julian Álvarez combined to bear down on the Aussie back-line and it was goalkeeper Ryan who made the slip-up. Álvarez pounced on the No.1’s heavy touch and tucked the ball away for 2-0.
Australia would bounce back in the 77th minute as Craig Goodwin’s 25-yard diverted strike wrong-footed Martínez in net. The original strike from the Adelaide United forward was heading wide of the mark, but a deflection off Enzo Fernández directed the ball goal-wards for 2-1 – game on!
It was a tense finish in Al Rayyan, with the losing side throwing everything at it. Left back Aziz Behich found his way through a sea of blue and white, but Lisandro Martinez denied the Dundee United defender with a last-ditch tackle. Youngster Garang Kuol had the final chance in the dying embers, but Emi Martínez stood strong and pulled off a superb save to deny the soon-to-be Newcastle United teenager. Full time: 2-1.
PLAYER RATING
UP NEXT
Up next for Dibu and Argentina is Netherlands in the first quarter-final fixture of the Qatar World Cup. The fixture lands on Friday 9th December and will kick-off at 7pm at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.
If Argentina can proceed one step further, they will face the winners of Japan/Croatia and Brazil/South Korea. Come on Emi!
AUTHOR | LIAM DAVIES
Author’s UTV PODCAST archive liamayrtondavies – UTV Podcast | An Aston Villa Blog
DONATE
UTVPODCAST | An Aston Villa Blog— is now accepting small donations, which will help to support the site’s ongoing evolution.
Thank you so much for your support.
UTV PODCAST HQ | LATEST NEWS
SUBSCRIBE
Enjoying this article – then please subscribe to UTVPODCAST | An Aston Villa Blog to help us grow and support the site; you’ll receive instant email notifications of all released article.
Plus, it’s completely free.
PARTNERS
UTVPODCAST is pleased to partner with Fanatics. Throughout the season, we will bring you special offers and discount codes.
KITBAG
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook and Twitter readers, click the respective icon below to follow our utvpodcast social media accounts.
