Messi is absurd. But the freedom that Algeria and Austria gave him on the field at this World Cup is also absurd.
It’s not that he has an easy life on the field all the time. The problem is that, exactly in the area of the field where the playmaker is decisive, he received the ball facing the goal repeatedly. In some of them, completely unmarked.
Here are examples of the matches, one from each match.
First goal against Austria
The Argentine star stays away from the play throughout the counterattack, but the crucial moment is when he approaches the entrance to the area with no sign of marking, completely free, facing the goal.
This does not take away the merit of the play: Almada was very perceptive and further increased the number 10’s advantage in the play with the surprise effect of the light screen (when a player lets the ball pass even though he is in a position to pass or shoot it).
While the Argentine attackers and midfielders accelerate, pulling the marker during the counterattack, Messi advances slowly, exploring the spaces that the defenders leave behind in the run.
Still, leaving him so free right at the edge of the area is an unacceptable marking error.
Third goal against Algeria
When Argentina manages to overcome the Algerians’ advanced marking in the opening match, while all the midfield and attacking players advance, Messi retreats to receive the ball with space and facing the play.
With the markers running to catch up with the attackers, he gains ground to lead the play and, as soon as a defender suggests approaching the number 10, he plays the ball to one of the Argentine forwards (in this case, Nico González).
Nico slows down and waits for Messi to arrive alone at the edge of the box to receive and score a goal very similar to the first against Austria. The playmaker shoots without difficulty.
Thus, the midfielders who in theory would play behind Messi end up acting almost like wingers in counterattack situations. They run towards the baseline from the sides while the Argentine floats wherever space opens up.
The heat map shows this movement well: in both matches, Messi basically touched the ball there, at the edge of the area.
Playing like this, Messi took 13 of Argentina’s 22 shots on goal so far in this World Cup.
Lautaro runs for Messi to walk
Against Austria, striker Lautaro Martínez appeared little in the attack, but he was still important: he suffered a penalty in the only chance of finishing he had and made a good move on the left, almost like a winger.
On the passing map (which shows the average position of each player and the number of passes he received from each teammate, given the thickness of the passing line), Lautaro appears positioned practically like a defensive midfielder, behind all his other midfield and attacking teammates.
He has more tackles (3) in this World Cup than shots (1). His movement without the ball is crucial to opening up the space Messi needs.
