As was the case against Switzerland in the quarter-final, Messi’s name was not up in lights. After scoring in nine consecutive World Cup games, he is, by his standards, in the midst of a drought. And yet he continues to leave a mark. In the absence of Angel Di Maria, who is retired from international duty, Messi drifts to the right, the space his old teammate used to occupy, the space Messi first played in as a kid coming through La Masia. He may no longer have the same ability to go at defenders over-and-over again. Not after playing extra-time in two of Argentina’s three knockout games before this. And yet it doesn’t matter. His aura still attracts defenders who, in turn, then leave his teammates wide open just as Fernandez was for his sensationally-hit equaliser.
Fernandez has stepped up just as he did four years ago. He headed in the clincher in Argentina’s comeback against Egypt. Then, in stoppage time, Messi crossed for Lautaro Martinez’s winner against England. Lautaro deserves to be more than an impact sub for the Albiceleste. Nevertheless he has performed the role brilliantly for Argentina since the knockouts began. He was the one who placed the ball on Fernandez’s head against Egypt. He was the one who wrapped things up in extra-time against Switzerland and, after the England game, he could barely get his words out. Each one tripping up over the emotion.
As happened four years ago, Argentina look into the abyss and see what no one else sees. They find light instead of darkness. Qualification rather than elimination. The English fans dressed as knights who threw up their swords when Anthony Gordon gave their team the lead vaporised like those in Raiders of the Lost Ark at full-time. Victoria Beckham comforted Sir David, her husband, the Inter Miami co-owner, the man who brought Messi to America. In the same area, Mick Jagger also looked on as Argentina’s street fighting men moved on.
How do Argentina keep doing it? They continue to go to the well and it is never empty. How long they’ve played this summer never seems to matter. How far they’ve travelled always, inexplicably, counts for little. They draw on reserves most oil-rich countries must envy. Energy is always found in one place deep down inside; it’s derived from giving Messi one more game. Another 90 minutes.
When every game feels like it might be his last the Argentina players make a sacrifice for their football god. They commit bodies to the cause. “We are unique,” Scaloni said. “And it’s not arrogance, it’s heart.”
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