Argentina vs. Spain – Half time Report
The match was simply supposed to be a "sell out" and it totally was a sell out as both the teams played their first teams in the starting line up of the "friendly" match. It was supposed to be "Barcelona" for everyone as at least 10 players were to feature from the Spanish club; three players from Barcelona play for the Argentinean squad and eight play for the Spanish squad.
However, a new line up was introduced by the Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque that did not really feature all of the Barcelona men that he had. With Carlos Puyol injured, there was no sign of the centre back. Even though Xavi Hernandez was a player that he could surely play in the centre, but he chose Cesc Fabregas instead as the Arsenal man finally featured as a first team player.
On the other hand, the Argentinean team was playing the best that they had. The new coach, Sergio Batista, showed the world that Diego Mardona's selection during the FIFA World Cup 2010 was totally wrong as he took a very experienced side with him. Gabriel Milito, Javier Zenetti and Eseban Cambiasso were all back in the Argentinean squad and it was later seen why they were so needed in the South American side.
The match kicked off and it was simply a great start for Argentina as it was the World's Best player, Lionel Messi, who managed to score a goal on his "legendary" chip and it was Pepe Reina who could not stop the Argentinean magician from scoring the goal. A wonderful ball from Gonzalo Higuain was enough for Messi to cut in through the defensive walls of Spain as the Argentinean striker scored the first goal of the match.
The new centre back Carlos Marchena was not doing too well with the Spanish side. It was him who did not really manage to make it up to Lionel's pace and in the 12th minute, it was Gonzalo Higuain who managed to score the second goal of the match. Argentina had just started to show the World Champions that they were good enough to win a trophy for themselves.
In the 23rd minute, the Spanish players started to play rough and they showed a little frustration from their side. It was first Cambiasso who got caught by Alvaro Arbeloa after a late challenge and then it was Cesc Fabregas who slid in late, only to find Messi's leg. The The Argentinean coach looked less concerned as he was taking good care of the best players that he had and Messi was one of them.
With experienced players like Zenetti, Cambiasso and Gabriel Milito back in the squad, the fans saw how the Argentinean squad was simply toying with the World Champions, Spain. It was seen that Javier Mascherano was assisted by Cambiasso in the holding midfield position and Lionel Messi was the one man who was given a free role up front so that he could help the team score a few goals.
In the 26th minute the game slowed down as the Argentineans tried to keep the ball to themselves but the very next minute it was David Villa who took a wonderful left footed shot, only to find the pole. The new defensive line up of the Argentineans proved to be worth it and they were easily breaking the attacks down that were coming from the Spanish side, however, during the half hour mark, the Spanish side started gaining momentum again.
The 33rd minute totally changed the cause of the game for the Argentineans as Carlos Tevez scored the 3rd goal for the South Americans. It was the goalkeeper's fault as Pepe Reina slipped while kicking a ball and Tevez took advantage of the moment by sliding in to score a goal for his country.
In the 40th minute of the match, the Spaniards finally had a chance to come back into the game as Fabregas was taken down by Heinze right outside the 18yard box. It was the new Barcelona signing David Villa who took the free kick but he found the wood work again and it was for the second time that Villa managed to hit the frame.
The Argentineans earned two yellow cards in the first half as Gabriel Milito and Cambiasso were the two players who were booked by the referee. On the other hand, Arbeloa was the only man who earned one for the Spaniards.
Late into the first half, right before the ending minutes, another free kick was given to the Spaniards as Javier Mascherano took down his Barcelona team mate, Andres Iniseta. The free kick was taken by Xabi Alonso but he only managed to hit the wall.
The first half ended 3-0 for the South Americans as Messi kept quiet after the 20th minute and it was the Argentinean "team" all over the place. It was seen that the Spanish side without the Barcelona squad was simply useless as the Argentineans were thrashing the World Champions.
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