What I’d be more worried about is what seems to be a bit of an overreaction to That Afternoon In La Paz. It was an historic result for both sides, of course, one for the books – but it should have been used as a kick up the arses of the players and a warning as to what can happen if they take their eyes off the ball. It shouldn’t be seen as proof that everything Argentine football has done up to this point is null and void, and that they have to start playing like England all of a sudden. A little perspective wouldn’t go amiss.

By the way Murt I forgot to answer your question earlier – Lucho is still out with the injury he picked up against Manchester United in the European Cup quarter-finals. Why Maxi didn’t play, I’ve no idea.

The muddle in midfield is the most obvious symptom of this – nobody willing really to take charge and responsibility. From the players playing last night, Veron should really be doing that, but having him and Gago and Masche just clutters things up without adding penetration. Lucho could do the job, when fit, but really, a more creative, attacking player is needed – D’allessandro, maybe? Why has Aimar been absolutely abandoned? Montenegro isn’t good enough, from what I’ve seen.

And speaking of not good enough – Guttierez isn’t either. He works hard, his pace is an asset, but he doesn’t seem to have any intelligence in possession. He just runs down blind alleys.

Like Murt, I support my NT (Ireland), but I expect beautiful football from Argentina. Pekarman and Basile definitely supplied that. So far, Diego hasn’t. But Argentinians are perfectly within their rights to insist that winning is what matters…

As for those wanting Argentina to play better… well, they thumped Brazil in the qualifiers for the last World Cup, topped the group comfortably and then of course tore Serbia & Montenegro to shreds in the group stages (a team who’d conceded one goal in fourteen games in qualifying), but peaked too soon. The eventual champions rarely qualify comfortably, and often the teams who play the best football at the finals haven’t done so either.

And let’s not forget the pitch either. And there’s one positive note, especially given the ‘quality’ of the defence: Mariano Andújar didn’t give any cause for concern in goal. With him and (if he gets regular playing time next season) Juampi Carrizo Argentina might actually have a choice of decent goalkeepers in South Africa…

Vargas cutting through Aguero and the two squaring up seemed to entertain the Justin TV chatters, but it didn’t entertain me. I was also disappointed Diego Milito didn’t do much either, he didn’t seem to be playing like a proper striker much of the time, wandering off out wide.
I do find international qualifiers a bit like a trip to the dentist sometimes, lol.

TBH, I’m not such a huge fan of international football in general, it often comes like an irritating break from the club football I watch every week. I have very little interest in the England side, in fact I loved how quiet it was out and about when England were playing against T and T in the last World Cup, I had a lovely bike ride in the summer weather while all the mugs were sitting in stuffy pubs watching that rubbish! :-)

Maybe it’s being expected to suddenly love players I despise 50 weeks of the year playing for their club sides.
I know an Evertonian who was hurling the most vicious abuse at the big screen when Rooney was playing for United once, then during the WC, was wearing an England top with Rooney’s name on it!?!

I suppose not being from Argentina, watching a game like last night doesn’t fill me with much excitement either, (though I will always watch anyway to check out Messi and any ex-Racing players.)

On the other hand, I loved watching Basile’s Copa America side, and Pekerman’s side in the last World Cup, because they played beautiful football and for once took the over-blown and over-hyped international scene to the level the media trumpet for it. But they didn’t win anything :-(

The only way Diego can justify playing like last night is if Argentina win the World Cup, which will be great for the country. But we haven’t had a truly thrilling World Cup since 1986 (98 was quite good for drama, but apart from Argentina and some France, 06 was poor and what about 2002? It was hideous!) An awkward Argentina side in 2010 won’t be great for the game, even if it wins matches like last night. I too wish the likes of Lucho and Maxi could be there to recreate some of the magic of 2006-07.

But maybe it’s very selfish of me to want Argentina to play beautifully. Argentinians want their team to win, and that is rightly their priority, it’s your team after all! :-)
I admire your fans support of and identification with your team… after years of WAGs, and t***ers like Cashley Cole and Rooney in the team, I have so much England fatigue I couldn’t care less either way about my country’s side, I hardly ever watch.

I think only Spain, Messi and possibly Holland can take 2010 to a high level. I think I’m expecting to be disappointed by the finals in SA. Too much commercialism and too much hype.

I’m hoping to watch Talleres v Atlético Tucumán tonight. The football may not be world class, but the atmosphere and tension should be. And I’m counting the days to Racing-Boca next week. Often, I prefer the bread and butter to the supposed caviar ;-)

One thing, though, it was Andrés, not Andreas.

Regarding Argentina, well, there’s also another way of seeing the same situation: we managed to win even playing badly. That can’t be a bad sign.

Of course I’m not happy or anything similar, but what mattered today was to win it and we won it.

Its the 70th minute: Watching this Argentina dont stand a chance next summer. Heinze, Gutierrez, Gago and Veron (at this stage) on the same team will 100% not win the world cup. If Colombia had the belief they could easily get back in this.