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World Cup Argentina Iceland Watch Again

Written By terça-feira, 15 de março de 2022 Add Comment Edit

Alfred Finnbogason in action in Iceland's first-ever World Cup game, against Argentina on Saturday. Finnbogason scored Iceland's only goal in a 1-1 tie.

Credit... Mladen Antonov/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

MOSCOW — Heimir Hallgrimsson wanted to relieve fourth dimension. Before Iceland'south autobus faced the questions of the gathered news media on the eve of his land's beginning game at a World Cup, he tried to help out. "Before anyone asks," he said, "I'thousand yet a dentist, and I volition never stop beingness a dentist."

Hallgrimsson and his players are in no doubtfulness as to how they are perceived; they are well aware of the part to which they have been assigned. They are the ultimate underdogs, the smallest nation ever to play in a World Cup — just equally, two years ago, they were the smallest nation always to play at a European Title — the team that knows a substantial proportion of its fans by name, the squad that is managed past a dentist.

They understand it, also. They capeesh just how compelling their story is, how remarkable it is that a country so pocket-sized should now have causeless a identify if non in the first rank of soccer nations, then surprisingly close to it. The romance of their rise is then seductive that the players cannot assistance merely acknowledge information technology and, occasionally, even revel in it.

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There comes a betoken, though, where that romance begins to obscure the achievements of these players, rather than celebrate them, where the appeal of presenting them as aught simply a plucky band of adventurers does non highlight the scale of what they have achieved, but begins to diminish information technology.

For on Saturday, in its Earth Cup debut, Iceland held its own in a i-1 depict with powerful Argentina — Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and all the rest of them — not because of its relationship with its fans, or because of the thunderclap, or considering of its coach's day chore.

No, Iceland emerged with a well-deserved indicate — and a substantially enhanced chance of reaching the knockout rounds of this contest, just every bit it did at the Euros in 2016 — because of something much more mundane, and much less quirky and compelling: the fact that information technology is a well-organized, well-drilled side, made up of difficult-working, disciplined professionals and sprinkled with but a little invention and stardust. Republic of iceland keeps achieving these things, keeps surprising the world and surpassing its assumed limitations, because it is a adept squad.

And the romance with Iceland is the consequence of all this, not the crusade.

That Iceland, population 330,000, could hold off Argentine republic, population 43.85 million humans, plus Messi, is not a shock to compare with Cameroon beating Argentina in the 1990 Globe Cup, or Senegal overcoming France in 2002. It is not even an equivalent to New Zealand's necktie with Italy in 2010.

Iceland'due south soccer pedigree is likewise great, its quality as well high, for it to be included with those startling results. This is a squad, after all, that boasts players in the Premier League, the Bundesliga and Serie A; of the 23 players at Hallgrimsson'southward disposal in Russia, merely one — the right back Birkir Saevarsson — still plays in Republic of iceland. Judging by his performance on Saturday, shutting downwards no less a threat than Ángel Di María, he will non be there for long.

It is a side that reached the quarterfinals of the European Championship just two years ago, chirapsia England to get that far. At that signal, emotionally and physically exhausted, Iceland lost to French republic, the host, just still managed to score twice in defeat.

And Iceland possesses a group of players every bit professionally prepared every bit any other. "There was zip in Argentina's game that surprised united states of america," Hallgrimsson said after the game. Republic of iceland knew it would have to absorb pressure, knew it would have to resist being dazzled past Argentina's possession, knew information technology would have to take its chances on the counterattack, which is just what it did when Alfred Finnbogason tapped home a first-half goal to cancel out Aguero's opening salvo. Republic of iceland, it remains articulate, is a team that knows who it is and what it can do.

In that sense, on Sabbatum, it assorted markedly with its opponent. Argentine republic'south players are, equally Hallgrimsson put information technology, "superior individuals, in better teams and playing in better leagues," but they continue to concoct to be less than the sum of their parts when joined together.

Prototype

Credit... Christian Hartmann/Reuters

Argentina started this game with Aguero, Di María and Messi on the field, a trio worth many hundreds of millions of dollars, if any toll at all can exist put on the last of the three.

As well, Jorge Sampaoli, the Argentine double-decker, had the option to bring on Gonzalo Higuaín, a striker Juventus paid more $100 million to sign from Napoli in 2016. In fact, Sampaoli, if he chose, could wheel through 3 different tactical approaches, or even iv. He had a actor for every purpose on the demote.

Just in the end, nil he tried made the difference on Saturday, in office because of Iceland's obduracy, its refusal to wilt. But but in part. For Argentina's shortcomings were there to run into, too.

The like shooting fish in a barrel analysis would take it that Messi is somehow reduced when he is removed from the context of Barcelona and put in his country's compatible. Only it is worth pausing to ask why information technology is, precisely, that an Argentine team blest with and then much attacking talent is then reliant on just one player, even if he may be the best there has e'er been.

Too many of his illustrious Argentine teammates seem content to exist entirely in his shadow, waiting for him to deliver a miracle. When he fails — as he did here, with his 2nd-half penalty shot saved by Hannes Halldorsson, Iceland'southward pic-producing goalkeeper, another picayune dash of romance — there is no obvious candidate to ease his burden.

None of that should detract, of course, from Republic of iceland'south joy. This was a marquee outcome on a scarlet-letter day for the squad, and the country. It deserved its celebrations after the game, spending several minutes on the field, communing with its fans.

All of that only adds to the romance, of course. There volition exist more than people who cruel in dear with Republic of iceland on Saturday, with its determined defending, its courage, its clear-eyed focus in the face of dazzling talent, in the Moscow sunshine.

But to reduce this squad to cypher more than a novelty human action does Hallgrimsson, and his players, a disservice. They are not hither to win hearts, or fans. They are here to win games. They know it is a wonderful story, one that deserves to be told. Their business concern, though, is non how they came to be here, but what they can do now that they are.

• Here is how the game unfolded, from Victor Mather and Matthew Futterman:

Free kick awarded from twoscore yards. Is in that location still a twist in the game? Messi … it hits the wall. Game over!

Matthew Futterman: At the end of the match, Iceland walks over to the corner of the stadium where its jubilant fans are jubilant similar they've won. Argentina'due south players wandered off with their hands on their hips, heads down. Just at the World Cup practise two teams each score a goal and come up away with a bespeak and ane team celebrates and the other acts as though there has been a death in the family unit. And obviously Iceland becomes the smallest state always to get a point at the World Cup.

A terminal throw of the die for Messi sailed over the net. Frustration for Argentina. Iceland booted the ball far upwardly the field.

V minutes of added time. That'southward 5 minutes of promise for Argentine republic.

Pavon tried a curler, which drew a diving save. Then Mascherano's long-range effort drew a salvage. Argentina throwing everything at Iceland now. Iceland made a sub and both players take their fourth dimension on the swap.

Argentina brings in Gonzalo Higuain of Juventus for Meza in hopes of some offensive magic in the dying minutes.

Messi shot from altitude, but it went wide by a pes. Can Republic of iceland hang on for x more minutes? They certainly don't look like winning, merely a draw would be a get-go-rate result for them.

Messi controlled a ball correct past the net with an able-bodied bound, but before he could fire, Saevarsson jumped in and cleared. A well-deserved congratulation from the keeper for that play.

A big punishment appeal from Pavon, but it's denied. In truth, the punishment that was chosen, for Aguero, was marginal.

Messi over a free kick outside the box … it went into the wall of four Icelanders.

Iceland is playing nine in the box right at present, with only Finnbogason a solitary figure further upwards the field.

Matthew Futterman: It is incommunicable to read Messi's mind, but even earlier the missed penalty, from up shut he has seemed a bit low-energy on the day, as though he might rather be on a beach in Ibiza rather than conveying the load of the nation on his shoulders. Remember, he did desire to cease playing for the national team ii years ago and had to be coaxed out of retirement. Then he got Argentine republic to Russia on the last day of qualifying with a hat play a trick on. Iceland has maintained a tight circle effectually him all afternoon, keeping 4 burly defenders and midfielders within a few yards of him for most of the game. That tin can't be a fun way to spend a friction match … Now watch him score ii goals in the concluding 12 minutes to win information technology.

Messi finally got the space to go on one of his runs, which led to a series of passes, which finished on the feet of Banega. But his shot is saved.

Argentina continues to pour it on, and yous'd withal think they could score in the terminal 20 minutes. Republic of iceland's stubborn defense, and keeper Halldorsson share the human being of the lucifer honour then far.

Penalty to Argentina! Messi to have … Saved past Halldorsson. Incredible!

Aguero striking the turf in the penalty area after a collision with Magnusson. The penalization was called, But Messi's shot was downwardly the middle and Halldorsson was able to salve the day for Iceland.

Messi establish Banega at the half moon, and he got off a decent shot. Merely Ragnar Sigurdsson threw his torso in forepart of the brawl. That's the kind of consistent defensive delivery that Iceland has shown.

Another candidate for soccer G.O.A.T., Maradona, is picked out by the cameras. He looks somewhat unimpressed.

Nicolas Otamendi misfired off a Dii Maria corner and howled in disappointment. Iceland is keeping nearly its whole team behind the ball.

Matthew Futterman: A annotation on the crowd here at Spartak Stadium, where seating chapters is 45,000. Argentina has traveled in a major way. Iceland has taken over one corner of the stands, from the pitch to the top row. Then there is another clump two sections over in either management. Other than that it's a sea of bluish and white striped jerseys here, almost like it was in Brazil, when much of the land could drive to Argentina matches. No shame on Iceland — they but take 340,000 people total, so there are simply so many who could brand the journeying.

However trying to solve Argentine republic'due south defensive problems here. Perhaps the defensive midfielders need to track back more than? Perhaps Argentina doesn't really need The New York Times's help?

Argentine republic have dominated and are withal comfortably favored for the win. Just the shaky defence force could still requite upward a goal … and could bring serious trouble confronting ameliorate opponents.

They hoofed the ball up, Sigurdsson was unmarked and forced the diving salve from Caballero. Defense is definitely the weakness of Argentina so far. Though Iceland seldom get the ball into the box, when they do the disorganization of Argentine republic is articulate. And that'southward halftime.

A expert trivial cross by Meza institute Biglia by the net. He went down, appealed for the penalisation and got a "No dice" from the ref. Still all Argentina.

Argentina controlled the ball in the Republic of iceland terminate for seemingly endless minutes. Simply it didn't even actually get a proficient shot off. Iceland defenders closed down every player, paying special attention to Messi, often using two or iii defenders and putting a hand on him. It'southward constructive, but with the ball always near the Republic of iceland goal, any error could bring disaster.

Argentina dominating possession. As the squad moved the ball toward dangerous territory, Lucas Biglia maybe got antsy and tried a shot from way out. It sailed over the internet.

Matthew Futterman: A fascinating moment in the 29th minute when Iceland had a throw-in in front end of Argentina's bench. Iceland captain Aron Gunnarsson grabbed the brawl and with his tattooed correct arm waved all but ane of his players ahead, as if to say, "boys, we are only going to exist this deep and so many times today. We have to take our shots." Gunnarsson so launched his throw a good 30 yards to the top of the penalty expanse, a heave by any measure. If Iceland always gets a throw deep in Argentine republic'southward end, it will essentially be corner boot.

Argentine republic had much more trouble than it should clearing the ball, and information technology zipped around the box dangerously. Alfred Finnbogason poached it merely outside the keeper's area and had a adequately easy finish. Poor defending past Argentina.

Aguero has scored 37 times for Argentina, simply never before in a World Cup game.

Information technology's Sergio Aguero, who picked up the ball in the box, freed himself and fired, looking almost off-balance every bit he did and then. Right in the net. That's what Argentine republic needs to do most six more times in this tournament.

Messi was isolated with only Hallfredsson guarding him. He paused casually, beat his defender in a stride and fired from but outside the box. Wide.

Matthew Futterman: For some reason FIFA has give the media some of the best seats in the business firm here at Spartak Stadium. I'thousand sitting only higher up the Argentina bench. If Argentina motorbus Jorge Sampaoli didn't accept to manage the lucifer and would turn effectually, we could accept a chat without event raising our voices. This does non often happen at major international sporting events. I can tell yous that Sampaoli up close looks like he is expecting some terrible new from a doctor. He's barely stopped pacing the sidelines since the opening whistle. He keeps grabbing his face. He looks like he might cry. With practiced reason, perhaps given how close Iceland came to taking a lead in the early minute. Meanwhile, Iceland Coach Heimir Hallgrimsson — I'd accept to raise my vocalization to talk to him, but not scream — has been stoic and mostly stationary. Arms crossed. He may exist contemplating some upcoming dental surgery. It'due south a fascinating contrast.

First corner to Argentina. Di Maria hesitated over it, then sent information technology correct to Iceland. Argentine republic controlling possession, and Di Maria tried a very speculative shot. Not close.

A sloppy pass in Argentina'southward box leaves Sigurdsson inches abroad from poking it in. Bjarnason then latches on to it and shoots it just wide. Near a terrible error for Argentina.

Complimentary kick to Messi once more. It races through the box and Tagliafico gets a head to it, but it goes wide.

It's from 40 yards plus, merely nonetheless. Complimentary kick for Messi! He ships it into the box where it rolls free, worryingly for Iceland, merely is eventually cleared.

Between the sticks for Argentina is Willy Caballero, who sits on the demote for Chelsea. But here he's starting for a World Loving cup contender. (Chelsea'due south starter, Thibaut Courtois, is the starter for Belgium here.)

Argentine republic is in black and Iceland in white. A first ever World Cup for tiny Republic of iceland. And is this the start of (finally) Messi's Globe Loving cup? Or volition information technology be another disappointment?

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Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/16/sports/world-cup/argentina-iceland.html

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