Lio Messi Sparks Albiceleste Second Group Win

Every team needs "The Spark", according to Zinedine Zidane. In the stylistic Adidas viral, World Cup legend Zidane sets about looking for "The Spark" to make the ultimate 11, that player turned out to be Lionel Messi. Yes, every team needs The Spark but at the moment, only one team has him and that team is the Albiceleste.

Messi was excellent for Argentina against Korea Republic. He architected two of the Albiceleste's goals and was a constant threat throughout the game. He is really enjoying his football right now in Maradona's system. The mental block he suffers whenever he pulls on the blue and white of Argentina looks to be over and that will boost Argentina prospects in trying to win the World Cup for a third time. Messi is looking as awesome playing for Argentina as he does playing for Barcelona.

Diego Maradona must be doing something right. He is behaving very much like an international coach right now. Two wins out of two in the World Cup, Maradona has so far got everything right. His lineups for both matches have been decisive and his substitutions inspired. Kun Aguero came on for Tevez and immediately transformed the game against Korea, he was involved in both of Higuain's goal. Maxi took Veron's place against Korea and did a great job.


The players are responding to him and repaying Maradona's faith in them by "dying" for him on the pitch. You could see the emotional bond he shares with all his 23 players as he hugs and kisses them after this emphatic win. I wouldn't be surprised if Maradona is sharing all his experience and knowledge as a former World Cup winner with the squad, building up their confidence and cultivating a strong team spirit essential to win seven high-pressure matches en route to the trophy.

Korea Republic did not play particularly badly, just that Argentina at times were unplayable. If Yeom Ki-Hun had scored during a 20-minute second half Korean pressure, then the result could have been very different. All credit to the Albiceleste as the defence held firm and refuse to let Korea get the better of them. Korea traded blow for blow in that 20 minute period but had nothing to show for it. Park Ji-Sung was almost anonymous in this game, Mascherano have to take credit for that.

The Albiceleste is not the finished article though. Defence is a worry. If Walter Samuel is indeed suffering from hamstring, then solidity in defence will be compromised. Demichelis has the tendency to lose concentration and normally "The Wall" covers up for Martin. But if Messi and co can continue to create and score goals, Argentina can live with some defensive frailties, no?

So has Argentina peaked? I don't think so. The defence, obviously can be better. Angel Di Maria have yet to explode and show us what he is really capable of doing. Martin Palermo and Diego Milito are still itching to set this World Cup alight with their talent. Lionel Messi haven't scored yet either. Amazing that Maradona should be criticized for taking six strikers to South Africa. Six strikers that have scored over 170 club goals this season between. Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain, Lionel Messi, Diego Milito, Martin Palermo and Kun Aguero are all superb players and more importantly winners. The talent in this squad has to be the deepest in the tournament.

This is such a great game of attacking football that I have to share the highlights in this video made by iamplatinumfans.

The second round of group matches are already shipping in the goals and that is making the World Cup that much more exciting for spectators. Uruguay scoring three and now Argentina-Korea Republic entertained us with five goals. The 2010 South Africa FIFA World Cup is lighting up at last!