International friendly match analysis: Argentina vs. Spain – Part 2
In the 56th minute, Cesc Fabregas was taken off for Xavi Hernandez. This was definitely a positive substitution for the Spaniards as Xavi is one of the best midfielders in the world at the moment. It was Xavi Hernandez throughout the last season who was able to provide the Barcelona attackers with countless assists and now with him on the field, it was just an addition to the army of Barcelona players that were already present on the field.
Soon, Xavi made a difference as he played a lovely long ball to Xabi Alonso, who chipped the ball over the keeper but did not manage to find the target, again. In the 58th minute, a sliding tackle by Gabriel Milito gave the Spanish side another opportunity to make a comeback but Xavi's attempted long ball was not well delivered.
In the 59th minute Carlos Tevez was seen going off as he was struggling on the pitch while Angel Di Maria was the player who made a walk on to the pitch. Now the formation was simple, it was Lionel Messi who was playing as midfielder to help the team add pace to the midfield and Angel Di Maria was thrown out to the right flank.
In the 61st minute, Xavi Hernandez has a great opportunity to score a goal but it was Gabriel Milito who slid in to block the attack and the Spaniard did not manage to even the hit the ball on target. The ball was then cleared by Sergio Romero, the Argentinean number 1.
In the 62nd minute, it was Lionel Messi who again showed the world why he is called the best player in the world. He sneaked in a clever through ball to Angel Di Maria who was making a run from the left flank. Di Maria made a fabulous finish which ended inside the net but the Argentinean was waved offside.
One thing that was to be recognized was definitely the Argentinean defence. They were combining really well to help the team as they blocked the attacks and came forward to help the striking force. However, they were well exploited in the 64th minute as a through ball from Xavi Hernandez found Jesus Navas one-on-one with Sergio Romero, but the ball was shot outside.
In the 66th minute there was another opportunity for Spain as they won another free kick right outside the box. The free kick was punched away by the Argentinean number 1 and it was Sergio Aguero who was seen warming up on the touch line.
Lionel Messi again made a move forward in the 67th minute but he was taken down by Sergio Busquets. The attack was shot down by Xabi Alonso and Sergio Busquets; the two players who featured as defensive midfielders for the Spanish side.
In the 67th minute, Gonzalo Higuain was taken off and Sergio Aguero was introduced onto the field. No one can forget how Aguero and Messi combined fabulously during the FIFA World Cup 2010 but Aguero still did not manage to find a first team spot in the Argentinean team. Now Lionel Messi was seen on the right flank and it was Aguero who was playing as a centre forward while Angel Di Maria was the player who featured as a left winger.
During the 70th minute, the young Spaniard Pedro Rodriguez was seen warming up on the touchline for the Spaniards. Pedro is also a Barcelona player and if he was to be added onto the pitch, another Barcelona man would be introduced. Soon, after a minute Pedro came on the field for Xabi Alonso as a holding midfielder was replaced by a winger. Pedro impressed throughout the FIFA World Cup and throughout his season at Barcelona as he bagged himself 22 goals with only 11 starts that he got throughout the season with the Spanish giants.
The Spaniards won another free kick in the next minute, but it was well defended by the Argentineans and Javier Zenetti was the player who cleared the ball away for the white and blues.
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