The halftime break likely felt uneasy in the Argentina locker room. At the halfway mark, the reigning world champions found themselves trailing against a spirited Costa Rica side. With Lionel Messi absent from the squad, observers wondered who would step up and lead the charge for a comeback.
Enter Angel Di Maria. A seasoned stalwart in this title-winning Argentina team, the veteran winger rose to the occasion, delivering a breathtaking free-kick that ignited his team's resurgence in Los Angeles.
Di Maria's sublime goal swung the momentum back in Argentina's favor, leveling the score and setting the stage for Alexis Mac Allister's decisive strike, followed by a drought-ending finish from substitute Lautaro Martinez, securing a hard-earned 3-1 victory.
Despite facing an unexpected challenge without Messi, Argentina encountered difficulties, partially due to an inspired performance from Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who thwarted the 2022 World Cup winners on multiple occasions. However, Argentina also struggled with decisiveness early in the match.
Ultimately, the night concluded on a positive note for Argentina as they clinched another victory, maintaining their momentum ahead of this summer's Copa America.
Here's how Newsfill rated Argentina's players at the LA Memorial Coliseum:
Goalkeeper & Defence
- Walter Benitez (6/10): Unfortunate with Costa Rica's goal, as his initial save led to Manfred Ugalde's opportunistic strike.
- Nicolas Tagliafico (6/10): Came close to scoring but was denied by the crossbar, setting up Mac Allister's goal.
- Nicolas Otamendi (6/10): Contributed to Mac Allister's goal with an initial header but could have performed better defensively.
- Cristian Romero (7/10): Put in a solid shift, displaying composure on the ball and effective defensive work.
- Nahuel Molina (6/10): Made valuable contributions going forward but lacked effectiveness defensively.
Midfield
- Enzo Fernandez (7/10): Continued to impress with a versatile performance.
- Alexis Mac Allister (8/10): Scored a crucial goal and showcased his importance to both club and country.
- Giovani Lo Celso (8/10): Stood out defensively and was arguably the standout performer among the midfield trio.
Attack
- Alejandro Garnacho (7/10): Posed a constant threat to Costa Rica's defense but fell short of creating a decisive moment in the final third.
- Julian Alvarez (6/10): Displayed effort but struggled to make a significant impact.
- Angel Di Maria (9/10): Led the charge with a stellar performance, highlighted by his exceptional free-kick goal.
Subs & Manager
- Leandro Paredes (6/10): Provided stability in midfield after coming on in the second half.
- Lautaro Martinez (8/10): Ended his goal drought with a vital strike, boosting his confidence.
- Rodrigo De Paul (7/10): Demonstrated his playmaking abilities with a well-placed pass for Martinez's goal.
- Nicolas Gonzalez (6/10): Came close to scoring but lacked the finishing touch.
- Valentin Carboni (N/A): Marked a memorable debut for the youngster.
- German Pezzela (N/A): Made a late appearance without much involvement.
- Lionel Scaloni (7/10): Overcame a challenging first half with astute decisions in the second, guiding his team to victory while providing opportunities for players to shine.