Argentina began their 2014 FIFA World Cup campaign at home in Buenos Aires, where they welcomed a Chile side missing Alexis Sanchez. Argentina looked to make it three wins out of three for home sides in CONMEBOL, and they made a great start when a perfectly threaded pass from midfield by Angel di Maria landed at the feet of Gonzalo Higuain inside the box. The finish was of high quality, and Argentina led 1-0. Not quite twenty minutes later, Higuain returned the favor with a through ball that found both di Maria and Lionel Messi (pictured, 10) wide open in the box. Messi slotted home for the 2-0 lead that persisted to halftime.Higuain added his second goal seven minutes after the restart after half-volleying a di Maria cross with his left foot. Argentina's 3-0 was cut to 3-1 seven minutes later after a series of strange bounces led to an easy shot, but Argentina restored the margin when Higuain completed his hat trick four minutes after Chile's opener. Messi stole a pass from the Chilean goalkeeper and then played a two-man goal with Higuain, who notched a goal that hit the upper ninety from the penalty spot. The match was supposed to be the match of the day in World Cup qualifying, but Argentina simply outclassed their neighbors and fully deserved the 4-1 win. Argentina look to become the first road team to win in South America when they go to face Venezuela on Tuesday, whereas Chile hope that the home field advantage will allow them to get a result against suddenly hot Peru.
Goals
Argentina
Gonzalo Higuain 8, 52, 63
Lionel Messi 26
Chile
Matias Fernandez 59
Match Reports:
Highlights:
No comments:
Post a Comment