07/12/2021 6:01 AM
Clarín.com
sports
Updated 07/12/2021 6:01 AM
The National Team was crowned undefeated in the Copa América 2021. It broke the curse of 28 years of title drought in a contest in which it grew with the running of the matches until it played a solid final against Brazil, the favorite, in the mythical Maracana.
The best of all was Lionel Messi
, who this time felt comfortable in a supportive team and delivered superb performances by game and sacrifice.
But Argentina also had other high points, such as goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, Cristian Romero in defense, Rodrigo De Paul in the middle and the vindication of Ángel Di María.
This is the final report card for the squad led by Lionel Scaloni that won glory in Rio de Janeiro.
Emiliano Martínez (7.2)
: He had no failures in the entire Cup. He only rested with Bolivia.
Firm hands on key plays and a hero on penalties against Colombia.
He showed personality to take over the bow.
Emiliano Martínez blocks Sánchez's shot Photo EFE / Joedson Alves
Gonzalo Montiel (5.7)
: He started as a starter on the right side, then lost his position with Molina and recovered it for the final, in which he showed great confidence.
Whenever he was the starter, he complied.
Cristian Romero (7)
: The great appearance in the background.
A timekeeper to cut the rival game.
A knee strain left him out for several games, but he returned at the Maracana and performed again.
It came to stay.
Cuti Romero: despite missing a couple of games, he was the best in defense.
Photo: EFE / Fernando Bizerra Jr
Nicolás Otamendi (5.8)
: An untouchable in the Argentine background.
A member of the old guard, he mostly provided security, although he had some misalignments.
A lion against Brazil.
Marcos Acuña (6)
: He alternated on the left side with Nicolás Tagliafico, but was chosen for the grand final.
Interesting contributes with its overflows, although it still needs to adjust the brand.
Ángel Di María (7)
: In the 2019 Cup he lost his position, but now he played as if to demonstrate his validity in the National Team.
Every time he had to be unbalanced either on the right or on the left and gave life to the attack.
Author of the great goal of the title.
Rodrigo De Paul (7.2)
: One of the team's high points.
Always compliant in the middle, both open and closed.
He ran, he played and he fought.
Perfect mixture of character and quality.
He made his network debut against Ecuador.
He had a dream ending.
Rodrigo De Paul: behind Messi, Argentina's best outfield player in the Copa América Photo: EFE / Andre Coelho
Leandro Paredes (5.8)
: From a guaranteed starter to having to fight for the position in the center circle with Guido Rodríguez.
Beyond some cracks in the recoil, he offered the usual panorama through his first pass.
Giovani Lo Celso (5.8)
: Part of the starting gear for his vision of the game, quality and ease of putting filtered passes.
It yielded more on the inside than when it had to open on the left.
Rounded out a good cup.
Lionel Messi (7.4)
: The best in the Copa América.
He played every minute of every game.
Scorer with four shouts and best assistant with five goal passes.
He showed his best version with the Argentina shirt: football, dedication and leadership.
Messi: genius and figure of the National Team, in all its dimensions Photo: AFP
Lautaro Martínez (5.7)
: It went from lowest to highest.
He started very erratic and the goal drought had him uneasy, but the DT supported him and managed to claim with three annotations.
Franco Armani (6)
: He saved the 90 minutes against Bolivia when Scaloni appealed for a massive replacement due to the bustle of matches.
They scored a goal.
His peace of mind is that he did not lose his position on the court.
Nahuel Molina (5)
: He arrived without a leading role, but ended up being a serious alternative for the right-handed side.
Great performance against Paraguay, although then suffered with Ecuador and Colombia.
Germán Pezzella (5.2)
: Of regular level, he alternated good and not so much as a replacement for Cuti Romero.
Good against Paraguay, Bolivia and Ecuador;
left doubts before Colombia.
Lucas Martínez Quarta (4)
: He seemed affirmed as the first central marker until before the Cup, but the appearance of Romero displaced him.
He played only with Chile, he did not have a positive night and then the DT leaned towards Pezzella.
Lisandro Martínez (6)
: He played the entire match with Bolivia with a good performance.
Nicolás Tagliafico (5.2)
: By decision of the coach, he was rotating in the left-back position with Huevo Acuña.
He showed the attitude that characterizes him, although he had some cracks.
He always pushed.
Nicolás Tafliafico: shared the position with Acuña.
He had a good game in the semifinal and fulfilled in the minutes he had in the final Photo: AFP
Guido Rodríguez (6.3)
: A blow to Paredes' ribs opened the door for him to get into the headlines and he did not disappoint.
He ordered the medium when it was his turn to play either entry or jumping onto the field from the bench.
And he converted his goal against Uruguay.
Exequiel Palacios (6)
: Generally entered as a substitute and only started with Bolivia.
Freshness in the middle zone, pass and containment.
That was its contribution as a spare part.
Nicolás Domínguez (5)
: He was one of those who had the least action.
Just 10 minutes with Paraguay and 20 with Bolivia, always as a substitute.
He had no opportunities to expose his game.
Alejandro Gómez (7)
: El Papu knew how to be patient and wait for his chance when he did not have to add a minute.
He took advantage of his moment against Paraguay, with the winning goal and was one of the best with Bolivia, also scoring on the net.
He made it clear that when they need it, it is.
Papu Gómez: he took advantage of the minutes he had, scored two goals, and showed that he can be in
Nicolás González (5.5)
: Deployment, sacrifice and arrival in the area.
A blow to a leg had him between cotton wool, but when he could be, he did not stop generating vertigo on the left.
He lacked clarity to specify the situations in front of the rival goal.
Sergio Agüero (5.5)
: Kun played a different role in this new National Team.
As a substitute, he understood the moment and accompanied without reproaches, even when he had to enter a handful of minutes in some meetings.
Holder on two occasions, he could not score.
Julián Álvarez (5)
: He only played 35 minutes with Bolivia.
It didn't gravitate in that little time.
Ángel Correa (7)
: He didn't have too many minutes either.
When he had to start from the start against Bolivia, he showed off with his game.
Angel Correa: the Atlético de Madrid striker had a great game against Bolivia.
Photo: AFP
Joaquín Correa (4.5)
: Spare part for the second half of the first matches without being able to stand out;
later he was one of those chosen to be out of the bank.
Look also
The intimacy behind the embrace of champions between Messi and Scaloni: a process that was born as a patch and became a great project
The National Team showed authority and beat Brazil at the Maracana to end the 28-year spell without shouting the Copa América champion
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