Finally Argentina have got it right. After two disappointing performances and results in their opening two matches (1-1 v Bolivia and 0-0 v Colombia) the host nation finally sparked the Copa America into life with a magnificent 3-0 win over Costa Rica in their third and final group game in Cordoba on Monday night.
Sergio Aguero scored twice and Angel Di Maria added a third to rack up and comfortable victory, but the scoreline was only half the story. This was by far the best team display since the competition began and probably saved the job of Argentina coach Sergio Batista, under immense pressure going into the game. Argentina dominated from the start, overwhelming Costa Rica with wave after wave of attack. Without any exaggeration, they could have won by twice as big a margin as they did had their attackers, particularly Gonzalo Higuain, taken more of the chances the team created. Not that it mattered to the home fans, who roared their approval at the final whistle.
The 3-0 victory will probably be remembered as the game where Lionel Messi finally found his feet for the national team, For so long having struggled to live up to expectations, this was more like the Messi we see week in, week out for Barcelona. He was fantastic, coming within a whisker of scoring himself when he hit the woodwork and pulling the strings in an advanced midfield position. It would be no surprise to see him go from strength to strength during the knock-out stages.
“This was a real tonic – just what we needed,” said Aguero after the match. “We played very well and we got the goals – but the main thing was we gelled as a team. Now we have to keep it up.”
Can Argentina keep it up? In a tournament where the favourites have all been below-par – at the time of writing, Uruguay and Brazil have yet to win in four games between them – you have to say the hosts will have a magnificent chance of lifting the trophy if they can maintain the momentum from Monday night. The only downside is they have finished second behind Colombia in Group A because of their slow start, meaning the draw for the quarter-finals will be trickier than expected. Rather than having a straightforward passage to the last four they will face the side that finishes third in Group C, meaning a heavyweight clash against Uruguay is a distinct possibility.
It’s no surprise though to see the bookies are wary of opposing Argentina. The hosts and favourites are in from 2/1 to 5/4, putting them well ahead of second favourites Brazil (who are 27/10, although those odds will come racing in if and when they make it through to the last eight). And having topped Group A Colombia are now third favourites. They will be confident of reaching the last four as they face one of the best third-placed teams in the last eight.
But Argentina was this column’s selection before the tournament began, and remain the stand-out choice. Based on the evidence of that performance against Costa Rica, they will take some stopping.
