Ronaldo called, Messi answered

Latest: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) continues to raise the scoring record for the national team to an unimaginable number (currently 117 goals). Lionel Messi became the first man since 1942 to score five goals in a single game for Argentina. Meanwhile, Gareth Bale shines to bring Wales the last ticket to the finals World Cup 2022 of the European region. This is the first time in 64 years Wales has appeared in the World Cup arena.

Ronaldo scored twice while Messi scored 5 goals AFP

A few days before meeting Switzerland, the Portuguese team drew and impressed when they were guests on the Spanish field in the opening match of the tournament. Nations League. Coach Fernando Santos explained Ronaldo’s side in that match: “It’s a matter of tactics.” Now, Ronaldo returned to the main team and he immediately scored 2 goals, helping the team to crush Switzerland 4-0. If this old general took full advantage of the opportunities, he could have scored a hat-trick. True to the statement of coach Santos: it is a matter of tactics (helping Ronaldo always have a chance even though he is very well hunted by the opponent). Diogo Jota, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes played very well in breaking the Swiss defense. The rest of Portugal’s goals were scored by William Carvalho and Joao Cancelo. The former European champion team temporarily leads Group A2 in the Nations League (more than the Czech Republic in terms of sub-index). Czech Republic drew Spain 2-2 in the remaining match.

More important than the Nations League arena, Wales won Ukraine 1-0 in the final match of 2022 World Cup qualifiers Europe area. From being forgotten and having to think about the future, Gareth Bale suddenly shone at the right time, bringing the only goal for the home team in Cardiff. Bale did not directly score, but from his free kick, Andriy Yarmolenko accidentally headed the ball into the home net. Like the semi-final victory over Scotland before, Ukraine played very determinedly and created many waves in front of the opponent’s goal. But this time they have encountered the excellent support of goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey. Overcoming this series of play-offs, Wales eagerly awaits the opportunity to make a strong impression at the World Cup finals because their opponents in the same group are not too strong (England, Iran, USA). In the only previous time participating in the World Cup arena (in 1958), Wales reached the quarter-finals and only stopped because of the only goal scored by Pele for Brazil. That was the tournament where the “king of football” first appeared and immediately shone.

Turn to friendly football. Argentina crushed Estonia 5-0 in Spain, with all 5 goals from Lionel Messi. Still not forgotten: Messi shined with great assists to help Argentina beat Italy 3-0 in the Intercontinental Cup match a few days ago. Now, Messi becomes the first player in history to score 5 goals in a match, both internationally and in European competitions. Messi now has 86 goals in the Argentina shirt. The fact that he shines is not surprising because his outstanding talent as well as his form is too good. Moreover, he does not want to lose to another image competitor, Ronaldo. In other words: Ronaldo called, immediately Messi answer.

The friendly was, of course, a tactical test, and this was a successful test of the team Argentina. But, throughout the matches of Ronaldo, Bale, and Messi, experts also realize that the most important thing that makes the veteran stars just mentioned jubilantly shine is also because the coach’s reasonable tactics have helped. they play the ball easily, often have the opportunity and freely show their technical level as well as experience in the field, without having to exert too much effort. Great things are still waiting for these veterans at the upcoming World Cup.