Agencies: Javier Mascherano had no business being out on the field for Argentina. In the 27th minute, the Argentina midfielder came off worse after a head-to-head collision with Holland’s Georginio Wijnaldum as both jumped for the ball. He was visibly shaken, couldn’t see right or keep his balance, held his arms out, and was caught by Wijnaldum even as he collapsed to the ground.
He remained on the ground for several seconds before leaving the field on his own power, only to return to the game as if nothing had happened. Some might argue that it shouldn’t have happened. The risk of Mascherano returning to the game was too great and they would be right. But Argentina without him are like a rudderless ship.
Alejandro Sabella needed his man back in the game and Mascherano wasn’t about to disappoint him. FIFA will take a lot of flak for allowing a player who had just suffered a concussion back on the field without a proper check-up but every Argentinian fan will be thanking their lucky stars that he did.
For if Mascherano had not been on the field, who would have made that last-ditch tackle in the 90th minute to deflect a Robben shot — away from goal and towards safety? It was typical Mascherano; it was the Mascherano that Argentina have come to expect. Day in, day out. He is the rock that they can’t do without. Messi is the star but Mascherano is Argentina’s heart.
Mascherano was Argentina’s captain from 2008 to 2011. But when host nation Argentina were knocked out of the 2011 Copa America by Uruguay, Sabella decided it was time for Messi to take over. Now, Messi’s goal-scoring record for Argentina since being handed over the captaincy has been exceptional but Mascherano continues as before.
In the last 16 game against Switzerland, Argentina had been pushed hard. But as they got ready for extra-time, Messi seemed lost in his own thoughts. Mascherano, however, was going to each player, trying to instill some fighting spirit and give their morale a boost.
He did the same thing during extra-time against the Dutch. Even Sabella seemed to be at a loss of words as Mascherano spoke. He was the leader without the armband. He simply doesn’t need one. For Barcelona, he often ends up playing in defense. But Argentina need him in a slightly more central role — he plays just ahead of the defenders. And he is part of the reason why Argentina have looked so solid.
He has had 509 ball touches (460 successful passes), which is the most of any player in this World Cup, a few touches ahead of Toni Kroos (498 touches/454 passes) and he has covered more ground than any other Argentina player. And then there is the class he adds to the defense.
He has committed to 22 tackles — out of which he has won 56 percent. During the 6 matches, he has managed 13 interceptions (5th best among all the players) and he also has 6 blocked shots (3rd best). Now, he may not make it to any World Cup XI but he is the man who makes Argentina tick. His numbers in the game against the Netherlands once again outline his value to this team:
84% pass accuracy
4 tackles won
75% aerial duels
3 interceptions
2 blocks
4 tackles won
75% aerial duels
3 interceptions
2 blocks
And each of those blocks and interceptions was worth it’s weight in gold. It was the kind of defensive brilliance that Brazil could have used against a rampant Germany; also the kind of effort that Argentina will hope Mascherano can find once again in the final. The final is, for many, just about Messi. But if Argentina can’t find a way to keep Germany at bay — Messi won’t have a chance to work his magic. And that is where Mascherano comes — in many ways, his spoiling abilities will be the key to the final.
The semi-final was just a preview, the real test awaits Argentina’s iron man. Let there be no doubt, he will be up for it.
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