[ad_1]
As Julian Alvarez, the 22-year-old Argentinian ahead, dribbled throughout half the pitch on Tuesday, dodging last-ditch tackles from Croatian defenders and latching onto a beneficial deflection earlier than dinking the ball previous the goalkeeper, there was a way that this had all occurred earlier than.
Alvarez’s objective within the 2022 World Cup semifinal was in some ways a extra fortuitous model of that scored by Argentinian footballing legend Diego Maradona towards England on the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, wherein he dribbled previous half of the English defence earlier than slotting it house and reeling off in direction of the stands in celebration.
On Tuesday, Argentinian flags could possibly be seen draped round Lusail Stadium bearing the enduring picture of Maradona in 1986 – a event wherein he guided La Albiceleste to World Cup victory.
Shades of 1986
As Alvarez celebrated along with his teammates, Lionel Messi, Maradona’s successor because the icon of Argentinian soccer and one of many world’s greatest-ever gamers, put his arm across the ahead. It appeared like historical past was repeating itself and their followers might really feel it, chanting and cheering their crew on lengthy after the ultimate whistle.
The parallels between the 2 tournaments should not simply confined to the Latin American crew.
Morocco have arguably been the event’s biggest success story, making it to the semifinals for the primary time of their historical past – and within the historical past of African and Arab nations on the World Cup. Earlier than 2022, Moroccan soccer’s peak second was in 1986.
After remaining undefeated within the group stage, they narrowly misplaced to a last-gasp objective from the eventual finalists, West Germany, within the spherical of 16.
Morocco boasted some superb defensive shows in Mexico, solely conceding two objectives in 4 video games. This yr they’ve bettered this report, solely letting in a single objective in 5 matches.
In 1986, Morocco knocked out Portugal by beating them 3-1 within the group phases; this yr, they went one step additional, eliminating two Iberian footballing giants – Portugal and Spain – within the knockout phases.
Morocco will face France on this yr’s different semifinal, a crew that additionally made it to the identical stage in 1986, the place they misplaced to West Germany.
How the 2 tournaments differ
As a lot as the 2 tournaments resonate with the 2 groups, there are some noticeable variations.
In contrast to Morocco who’ve already gone additional than they did 36 years in the past, Argentina have but to equal their historic World Cup win. Additionally they misplaced their first match this yr, a shock defeat to Saudi Arabia, whereas, in 1986, they remained unbeaten.
On the age of 35, Messi can not compete with the surging, devastating tempo of the 25-year-old Maradona who lit up the World Cup in 1986. Nonetheless, the Paris Saint-Germain famous person has rolled again the years and netted 5 objectives to date, the identical quantity that Maradona scored in Mexico.
Earlier than the 2022 World Cup started, the 1986 event was the benchmark that each Moroccan and Argentine crew needed to emulate.
For a lot of followers too younger to recollect the World Cup in Mexico, it was merely an awesome story from one other period – a time when Maradona lit up the best footballing stage, and the Atlas Lions shocked the world by making it to the knockout phases.
The 2022 World Cup has already modified that for Morocco. Will it additionally accomplish that for Argentina?
[ad_2]
Source link
