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Argentina's Miraculous Victory: God & The Saint Prevail Right At The Death
Gregory Sica explains why Argentina's heroic victory over Peru is also a victory for football...
11-Oct-2009 12:24:35 PM
When Peru's Hernan Rengifo scored an unlikely equaliser in the final minute of the World Cup qualifier against Argentina at the Monumental stadium on Saturday, it seemed that Diego Maradona's and Argentina's World Cup dream had come to an abrupt end.
So close, but now so far, Maradona's face said it all. Argentina's World Cup chances were practically over. The torrential rainfall didn't help one bit, it actually made things all the more depressing. To lose to Peru was one thing, but to lose in this manner was nothing less than heartbreaking.
Peru had eliminated Argentina from the 1970 World Cup, and almost did the same in 1986. Once again they had arrived in Buenos Aires to spoil the party.
But wait...all of a sudden, and pretty much out of nowhere, appeared Martin Palermo to hand Argentina a dramatic victory in the 93rd minute! The veteran fired the ball home at the back post after a deflection went into his path.
Despite his 200 goals in the Argentine first division, this was undoubtably Palermo's most important. When it seemed that Argentina's World Cup hopes had all but ended, the Boca Juniors legend proved why he was worthy of national team selection.
"Go out and finish this game as you have so many times," Maradona admitted that he asked Palermo when he sent him onto the field in the second half.
"Afterwards a miracle from Saint Palermo occurred that has given us one more life to qualify [for the World Cup]," added Maradona.
Even if, once again, Maradona's side didn't perform on the night, you have to give the coach some credit after Argentina's heroic victory. Maradona refused to listen to any criticism of his decision to include a 35-year-old in his squad, and had enough confidence in the player to send him on in the second half, and when Argentina needed him most.
Although most football fans outside of South America don't know too much about Palermo, the striker is a legend in his own right. Over the years he has proved to be one of the most prolific strikers in world football, but the fact that he listened to his heart and opted to remain at Boca Juniors instead of returning to Europe was much of the reason why he had to wait ten years to be recalled to the national team.
If you have followed Palermo's entire career you wouldn't question his ability. The striker is world class, and even if his predeccessors hadn't seen this, Maradona surely did. Palermo's crucial goal will surely be enough to earn him a place in Argentina's World Cup squad, of course, that is if Los Albicelestes manage to qualify.
Maradona's celebration said it all. 'El Pibe de Oro' dived along the touchline despite the storm to celebrate one of the most important goals in Argentine football history, one that keeps the two-time world champions in the hunt for a place in next year's World Cup.
This is what football is all about, a sport that always gives you a second opportunity (if you look for it, that is).
Palermo, Maradona, the Argentine national team, or even the entire country if you like deserved this. But the real winner is football.
But Argentina can't sit back on their amazing victory, but will have to prepare for their decisive World Cup qualifier with rivals Uruguay in Montevideo on Wednesday.
Only minutes after Palermo's winner, the Uruguayans were awarded a penalty kick [also in injury time], against Ecuador in Quito, and Diego Forlan fired it home to give Uruguay an unlikely comeback victory, despite the hostile home crowd and the effects of the high altitude.
Moments earlier La Celeste were on the verge of World Cup elimination, however, their fighting spirit prevailed.
The clash between Uruguay and Argentina at the legendary Centenario stadium next week promises to be the most exciting match of the entire World Cup qualifiers, no matter what continent. The winner of the derby will qualify directly for the World Cup.
Here are Argentina's possibilities for the final round of World Cup qualifying:
-If Argentina win, they will qualify for the World Cup
-If Argentina draw and Ecuador don't win by five goals, Argentina will qualify for the World Cup
-If Argentina draw and Ecuador win 5-0, Argentina enter the playoff
-If Argentina lose and Ecuador don't win, Argentina enter the playoff
-If Argentina lose and Ecuador win, Argentina will be eliminated from the World Cup.
Gregory Sica, Goal.com
So close, but now so far, Maradona's face said it all. Argentina's World Cup chances were practically over. The torrential rainfall didn't help one bit, it actually made things all the more depressing. To lose to Peru was one thing, but to lose in this manner was nothing less than heartbreaking.
Peru had eliminated Argentina from the 1970 World Cup, and almost did the same in 1986. Once again they had arrived in Buenos Aires to spoil the party.
But wait...all of a sudden, and pretty much out of nowhere, appeared Martin Palermo to hand Argentina a dramatic victory in the 93rd minute! The veteran fired the ball home at the back post after a deflection went into his path.
Despite his 200 goals in the Argentine first division, this was undoubtably Palermo's most important. When it seemed that Argentina's World Cup hopes had all but ended, the Boca Juniors legend proved why he was worthy of national team selection.
"Go out and finish this game as you have so many times," Maradona admitted that he asked Palermo when he sent him onto the field in the second half.
"Afterwards a miracle from Saint Palermo occurred that has given us one more life to qualify [for the World Cup]," added Maradona.
Even if, once again, Maradona's side didn't perform on the night, you have to give the coach some credit after Argentina's heroic victory. Maradona refused to listen to any criticism of his decision to include a 35-year-old in his squad, and had enough confidence in the player to send him on in the second half, and when Argentina needed him most.
Although most football fans outside of South America don't know too much about Palermo, the striker is a legend in his own right. Over the years he has proved to be one of the most prolific strikers in world football, but the fact that he listened to his heart and opted to remain at Boca Juniors instead of returning to Europe was much of the reason why he had to wait ten years to be recalled to the national team.
If you have followed Palermo's entire career you wouldn't question his ability. The striker is world class, and even if his predeccessors hadn't seen this, Maradona surely did. Palermo's crucial goal will surely be enough to earn him a place in Argentina's World Cup squad, of course, that is if Los Albicelestes manage to qualify.
Maradona's celebration said it all. 'El Pibe de Oro' dived along the touchline despite the storm to celebrate one of the most important goals in Argentine football history, one that keeps the two-time world champions in the hunt for a place in next year's World Cup.
This is what football is all about, a sport that always gives you a second opportunity (if you look for it, that is).
Palermo, Maradona, the Argentine national team, or even the entire country if you like deserved this. But the real winner is football.
But Argentina can't sit back on their amazing victory, but will have to prepare for their decisive World Cup qualifier with rivals Uruguay in Montevideo on Wednesday.
Only minutes after Palermo's winner, the Uruguayans were awarded a penalty kick [also in injury time], against Ecuador in Quito, and Diego Forlan fired it home to give Uruguay an unlikely comeback victory, despite the hostile home crowd and the effects of the high altitude.
Moments earlier La Celeste were on the verge of World Cup elimination, however, their fighting spirit prevailed.
The clash between Uruguay and Argentina at the legendary Centenario stadium next week promises to be the most exciting match of the entire World Cup qualifiers, no matter what continent. The winner of the derby will qualify directly for the World Cup.
Here are Argentina's possibilities for the final round of World Cup qualifying:
-If Argentina win, they will qualify for the World Cup
-If Argentina draw and Ecuador don't win by five goals, Argentina will qualify for the World Cup
-If Argentina draw and Ecuador win 5-0, Argentina enter the playoff
-If Argentina lose and Ecuador don't win, Argentina enter the playoff
-If Argentina lose and Ecuador win, Argentina will be eliminated from the World Cup.
Gregory Sica, Goal.com
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