“The team is different if Messi is playing or not”, Chile coach Juan Antonio Pizzi said.
Advertisement
The Argentina captain hurt his back in an global friendly against Honduras on May 27 and is unlikely to start on Monday in his country’s opener against Chile at the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
At the 2015 Copa America he helped Argentina reach the final – in which they were beaten by hosts Chile, on penalties following a 0-0 draw.
There were few surprises elsewhere in a powerful Argentina line-up on Monday bristling with European based talent despite injuries to Javier Pastore and Ezequiel Lavezzi.
Di Maria opened the scoring on 51 minutes and emotionally held a T-shirt up to the sky emblazoned with the message: “Grandma, I will miss you so much”. Messi was believed to be available from the bench, but with Argentina in sheer dominance in the entire game, Coach Tata Martino decided not to take a risk. Argentina defender Ramiro Funes Mori’s mistake was almost capitalised on, but Alexis Sanchez’s effort from 18 yards was too close to Sergio Romero, who made a stunning save to deny the Arsenal forward.
Angel Di Maria left no doubt the day’s emotions following the death of his grandmother would not impede on his sensational performance with a goal and an assist to lead the top-ranked La Albiceleste.
“I just learned that five minutes ago that his grandmother died”, Martino said.
Yes, Chile got its consolation goal in injury time, when Jose Fuenzalida jumped highest on a cross in a scrum and headed past an overcommitted Romero.
The second of two Chilean first half bookings arrived in the 44th minute, Gaitan again on the receiving of a rough tackle, this time from Mauricio Isla.
Martino hopes to have Messi back in time for Friday’s game against Panama in Chicago.
Panama have made a decent start to their CONCACAF World Cup qualifying campaign, suffering just one defeat in their first four matches. Nicolas Gaitan will replace Messi in Argentina’s lineup if the superstar forward fails to progress in his recovery.
Next up for Argentina is Panama who beat Bolivia 2-1 earlier in the evening.
Argentina continued to attack, Di Maria earning a corner off a counterattack, Aranguiz deflecting Rojos header off a corner over the bar.
Argentina andChile, two South American heavyweights, battled in the Bay Area on Monday night for control of Group D, with both expected to qualify from the group easily.
“He’s got business to take care of, so good luck to him”, Curry said.
Just five days after helping Barcelona clinch a league and cup double with victory in the Copa del Rey final, the five-time Ballon d’Or victor was back in his home country featuring in his side’s one and only warmup match for the tournament in the United States.
Advertisement
“In the morning when I knew what happened I knew that I would score today, and that happened and it was for her”.
