As part of the 50 days, 50 Argentina World Cup moments, we will be counting down the top 50 Argentina moments at a World Cup using the daily number.
We are just 45 days until the start of the FIFA World Cup and in 45th place we have Javier ZANETTI scoring in the 45th minute at the 1998 FIFA World Cup against England in the quarter finals.
The build up to the match was tense. You had the actualy war between the two countries as well as memories of Diego MARADONA’s goals at the 1986 World Cup. The infamous Hand of God and the Goal of the Century which knocked England out 12 years earlier were still burning in the hearts of England fans.
What happened during those 120 minutes plus penalty kicks ensured that it was an absolute classic. Arguable the best match of that tournament and one of the best World Cup matches of all time. Four goals were scored but it was the one that was scored in the 45th minute which stole the show.
Daniel PASSARELLA’s men were awarded a free kick and up stepped Juan Sebastian VERON. The Estudiantes de la Plata icon was about to shoot the ball but he faked the shot and passed it to Javie ZANETTI instead. ZANETTI was hiding behind the English wall, it got to his foot and a left footed shot went past David SEAMAN.
An extremely smart play and one which was used in training by Daniel PASSARELLA. The match which had it all. Goals, a red card, extra time, a golden goal disallowed in extra time and penalty kicks. As an Argentina fan, it was great.
But the true magic came in the 45th minute with Javier ZANETTI’s goal.
Here was Argentina’s starting XI for the match:
1. Carlos ROA
2. Roberto AYALA
3. Jose CHAMOT
5. Matias ALMEYDA
7. Claudio LOPEZ
8. Diego SIMEONE
9. Gabriel BATISTUTA
10. Ariel ORTEGA
11. Juan Sebastian VERON
14. Nelson VIVAS
22. Javier ZANETTI
If you missed it, here are our 50 World Cup moments:
50: Sergio ROMERO gets 50th cap vs. Switzerland at 2014 FIFA World Cup.
49: Roberto AYALA scores in the 49th minute vs. Germany at 2006 FIFA World Cup.
48: Angel DI MARIA’s 48th cap for Argentina vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina at 2014 FIFA World Cup.
47: Mario KEMPES scores Argentina’s 47th goal all time at the 1978 FIFA World Cup vs. Peru.
46: Jorge VALDANO scores in the 46th minute at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
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