Messidepencia, they call it. A dependency on Lionel Messi.
Argentina certainly are over-reliant on their captain but, frankly, there are worse problems to have.
Three of the giants of European football have already gone home. Cristiano Ronaldo, his rival for the title of the world’s best player, is likely to beat a swift retreat across the Atlantic, as well.
So sympathy should be in short supply for Argentina. Their fortunes rest on perhaps the greatest player of his generation; some would say the best of any. They are yet to excel as a team but have moved forward as group winners, with three wins from three, thanks largely to one man.
Click here to visit The National’s World Cup 2014 landing page
Four of their six goals have come from Messi’s left foot – and the others have been scored, rather inadvertently, by defenders, one of them a Bosnian who accidentally diverted the ball into his own net.
Sergio Aguero, who limped off, has been out of sorts. Gonzalo Higuain’s form has deteriorated since a fine display against Bosnia. Angel di Maria, at least, has excelled, but the trio have drawn a collective blank.
Messi has compensated in spectacular style. His first goal against Nigeria was his worst of the tournament, but that is relative: a 20-pass move, including a lovely ball from Javier Mascherano, led to Di Maria striking the post. Messi had the powers of anticipation to meet the rebound and the precision to angle his shot through a crowded penalty area.
By the by, it made him the first Argentine to score in three consecutive World Cup games since Omar Oreste Corbatta in 1958. Not even Diego Maradona, that perpetual comparison point for Messi, managed that.
His second took him level with a colleague at club level and a rival for the Golden Boot. Neymar has four goals this World Cup. So, too, does Messi after an immaculate free-kick, caressed and curled into the top corner. Vincent Enyeama, who had saved a rather more fierce free-kick a minute earlier, was left scrabbling across his goal, running when he should have dived.
Messi has a capacity to make goalkeepers look foolish and Enyeama, among the finest in this World Cup, can testify to that.
It made it rather inappropriate that Argentina’s winner bounced in off Rojo. It was the lone scrappy goal in a game of superb strikes.
Twice, Ahmed Musa assumed the role of Nigeria’s Ronaldo; whatever Messi could do, he set about emulating. Two excellent equalisers were testament to the CSKA Moscow winger’s talent and the transformation in Nigeria.
Their opening stalemate with Iran was almost unwatchable. Since then, Nigeria have displayed more attacking intent. It has been rewarded with a place in the last-16, giving Africa its first, and perhaps only, team in the knockout stages.
Considering Asia’s struggles, that is especially welcome; otherwise the global game will be reduced to three continents.
Playing with renewed ambition, Nigeria went toe to toe with Argentina, highlighting the vulnerabilities in their defence, especially against pace and intelligent movement.
Argentina are an imperfect team but while they have a perfect player, they have a chance.
sports@thenational.ae
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The biog
Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.
His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.
“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.
"Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”
Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.
He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking.
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Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Full name: Aisha Abdulqader Saeed
Age: 34
Emirate: Dubai
Favourite quote: "No one has ever become poor by giving"
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
The biog
Name: Salvador Toriano Jr
Age: 59
From: Laguna, The Philippines
Favourite dish: Seabass or Fish and Chips
Hobbies: When he’s not in the restaurant, he still likes to cook, along with walking and meeting up with friends.
Jawan
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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Six pitfalls to avoid when trading company stocks
Following fashion
Investing is cyclical, buying last year's winners often means holding this year's losers.
Losing your balance
You end up with too much exposure to an individual company or sector that has taken your fancy.
Being over active
If you chop and change your portfolio too often, dealing charges will eat up your gains.
Running your losers
Investors hate admitting mistakes and hold onto bad stocks hoping they will come good.
Selling in a panic
If you sell up when the market drops, you have locked yourself out of the recovery.
Timing the market
Even the best investor in the world cannot consistently call market movements.
The biog
DOB: March 13, 1987
Place of birth: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia but lived in Virginia in the US and raised in Lebanon
School: ACS in Lebanon
University: BSA in Graphic Design at the American University of Beirut
MSA in Design Entrepreneurship at the School of Visual Arts in New York City
Nationality: Lebanese
Status: Single
Favourite thing to do: I really enjoy cycling, I was a participant in Cycling for Gaza for the second time this year
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THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 258hp at 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.4L/100km
Price, base: from D215,000 (Dh230,000 as tested)
On sale: now
FA Cup quarter-final draw
The matches will be played across the weekend of 21 and 22 March
Sheffield United v Arsenal
Newcastle v Manchester City
Norwich v Derby/Manchester United
Leicester City v Chelsea
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
if you go
The flights
Flydubai offers three daily direct flights to Sarajevo and, from June, a daily flight from Thessaloniki from Dubai. A return flight costs from Dhs1,905 including taxes.
The trip
The Travel Scientists are the organisers of the Balkan Ride and several other rallies around the world. The 2018 running of this particular adventure will take place from August 3-11, once again starting in Sarajevo and ending a week later in Thessaloniki. If you’re driving your own vehicle, then entry start from €880 (Dhs 3,900) per person including all accommodation along the route. Contact the Travel Scientists if you wish to hire one of their vehicles.
IPL 2018 FINAL
Sunrisers Hyderabad 178-6 (20 ovs)
Chennai Super Kings 181-2 (18.3 ovs)
Chennai win by eight wickets
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Match info
What: Fifa Club World Cup play-off
Who: Al Ain v Team Wellington
Where: Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
When: Wednesday, kick off 7.30pm
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