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How Messi dismantled the entanglement of Mexico, in data and graphs

2022-11-26T22:44:44.160Z


The Argentine 10 spins a distant goal with three defenders in front after more than an hour in which his team did not find the holes in the defensive system of the Tri


A goal from Messi, a low shot, precise and tight to the left post of Memo Ochoa, unraveled the mess Argentina was in in the 64th minute, more outside than inside the World Cup if they failed to prevail in the match against Mexico.

Both teams were unable to give fluidity to their offensive game due to the constant interruptions, until Rosario's found a millimeter hole away from the front of El Tri.

On the 10th he connected a shot that had a ridiculous chance of being a goal and gave wings to his team.

The graph shows the danger produced by each team, minute by minute:

The curve leans towards the Argentine side throughout the entire match, except in the opening minutes of the first half when the Mexicans put more pressure on them.

Tata Martino's team was not rewarded for their effort with a clear chance, but they unhinged their rival, unable to combine in midfield.

In the second half, especially as a result of Scaloni's changes, the albiceleste took a step forward and took full control of the game, leaving no options for Mexico, who barely left their field until the final whistle.

Argentina converts two goals from just three shots

The auctions were sold very expensive in the South American duel.

In the entire first part there was hardly a shot on goal from each of the teams.

The Argentine shot was from Messi, a cross-shot without danger for Memo Ochoa.

The second time that the stars of both teams met, the Mexican goalkeeper did not have the same luck despite the difficulty of the action of the Argentine 10, as an advanced statistic indicates: a shot like the one made by Messi ends in a goal so only one out of 50 times (0.02 expected goals).

Because of how far he was from the goal, because of the angle and because he had so many defenders ahead of him.

And yet it was a goal.

Once the score was opened and with the defense of El Tri more disordered, Enzo Fernández took the opportunity to extend the advantage with another very difficult shot.

The chances of scoring in a play like that of 2-0 is one in 25 times (0.04 expected goals).

Three shots on goal for Argentina, for one for Mexico throughout the match.

Argentina

goals 2

Shots 6 (4 on goal)

0.28xG

expected goals

Mexico

goals 0

Shots 4 (1 on goal)

0.26xG

expected goals

Argentina

goals 2

Shots 6 (4 on goal)

0.28xG

expected goals

Mexico

goals 0

Shots 4 (1 on goal)

0.26xG

expected goals

Argentina

Mexico

goals 2

Shots 6 (4 on goal)

goals 0

Shots 4 (1 on goal)

0.28xG

0.26xG

expected goals

expected goals

Argentina

Mexico

goals 2

Shots 6 (4 on goal)

goals 0

Shots 4 (1 on goal)

0.28xG

0.26xG

expected goals

expected goals

Argentina attacks on the right

The network that Tata Martino designed to short-circuit the Argentine midfield worked perfectly for more than an hour.

With the lanes wide open, they forced the albiceleste to combine more on the inside, where the Mexican presa dogs were waiting for her.

Messi went down a lot to combine in midfield and received five fouls, the most in the game.

Mexico sought above all speed on the right flank with Chucky Lozano, but failed to create any chance of real danger.

The graph below shows lines between those players who have connected more than four passes between them.

The Argentine team has leaned towards his band

Argentina

Messi

otamendi

say mary

Messi went down to combine inside

Mexico

Araujo

Araujo was the one who connected the most with his teammates

Argentina

Messi

otamendi

say mary

Messi went down to combine inside

Mexico

Araujo

Araujo was the one who connected the most with his teammates

Argentina

Mexico

Messi

say mary

Araujo

otamendi

Messi went down to combine inside

Araujo was the one who connected the most with his teammates

Argentina

Mexico

Messi went down to combine inside

Messi

say mary

Araujo

otamendi

Araujo was the one who connected the most with his teammates

Messi directs and defines;

Vega was the dagger of Mexico

Messi was the axis of the game for Argentina, playing in a central position near 9, in the first half Lautaro Martínez and in the second Julián Álvarez.

In that area between the lines that he likes so much, the 10 organized his team's attacks without having to reach the area.

On the Mexican side, the most inspired was striker Alexis Vega, who had the best chances on his team.

In a match in which the forwards were very neglected, the striker managed to take advantage of his few options to create danger.

Touches by Lionel Messi and Alexis Vega.

Lionel Messi

Position

half of

Messi

Alexis Vega

Position

half of

Alexis Vega

Lionel Messi

Position

half of

Messi

Alexis Vega

Position

half of

Alexis Vega

Lionel Messi

Alexis Vega

Position

half of

Messi

Position

half of

Alexis Vega

Lionel Messi

Alexis Vega

Position

half of

Messi

Position

half of

Alexis Vega

sources and glossary

expected goals

The goals that a player or a team should have scored with their shots, adding the probability that each one had of ending in a goal.

The calculation of the statistics takes into account the position of the shot, the type of shot or the position of the goalkeeper.

Momentum of the party

Which team is creating more dangerous situations in each minute.

It is calculated from the recent ball possessions of each team and their probability of ending in a goal.

Controlling the ball has a different value depending on the position: it is not the same danger to retain the ball between your central defenders as it is to take it into the opponent's small area.

Data source: Opta.

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Source: elparis

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