Messi Invisible: Argentina Player Grades

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Post on Nov 15, 2024

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Messi Invisible: Argentina Player Grades - A Disappointing Night in Qatar

It was a night of frustration for Argentina fans as their team struggled to break down a stubborn Saudi Arabia defense. The result? A shocking 1-2 defeat that leaves Lionel Messi and co. in a precarious position. Let's take a look at how the players performed, with the disappointment clearly evident in these grades.

Lionel Messi: 6/10

Let's be honest, the GOAT was invisible. Messi was largely ineffective, failing to make a real impact on the game. He did score a penalty, but his overall play was far below expectations. It was a rare off night for the maestro, but it came at the worst possible time.

Lautaro Martinez: 5/10

Martinez had a few decent touches and chances, but he was ultimately unable to convert them. The forward looked a little lost at times, which is disappointing considering his recent goalscoring form. He needs to step up if Argentina wants to turn things around.

Angel Di Maria: 4/10

Di Maria was a shadow of his former self. The winger was wasteful with the ball, failing to create any real danger. He was subbed off at half-time, and it was a decision that seemed to have no effect on the final result.

Rodrigo De Paul: 6/10

De Paul was one of the few Argentinians to show some fight. He worked hard in midfield, trying to control the game. But he was too often isolated and couldn't provide the kind of creative spark that Argentina needed.

Nicolas Otamendi: 4/10

Otamendi had a night to forget. He looked shaky in defense and was directly responsible for the second Saudi goal. You can't have a veteran like him performing at such a low level in a match of this importance.

The Defense: 4/10 (Collective)

Honestly, the entire back line was caught napping. There were glaring errors, and the Saudi attackers looked dangerous every time they broke forward. They'll need to tighten things up if they want to avoid another upset.

A Collective Failure

It wasn't just the individual performances that were disappointing; the team as a whole struggled to gel. They looked disjointed and lacked any real attacking potency. It was a far cry from the side that dominated the Copa America last year.

This is a massive wake-up call for Argentina. They need to regroup and figure out how to play with the same intensity and passion we saw last year. This isn't the time to panic, but it's time to raise the bar and perform like the world champions they're supposed to be.