Pass on grass
“If God had wanted us to play football in the clouds, he’d have put grass up there.” Brian Clough (1935-2004), on the importance of passing the ball to feet.
On Friday afternoon, Argentina embraced his philosophy and scored a wonderful goal.
Serbia and Montenegro were chasing shadows from the moment Maxi Rodgriguez bullied Savo Milosevic into conceding possession. Unable to apply the same sort of forceful pressure to the ball, the European side were inched back towards their own goal.
The approach was considered; the final attack brutally quick. Saviola played in Esteban Cambiasso as he was bearing down on the box. Cambiasso found Crespo before continuing on his run. Twelve yards from goal, the Inter Milan midfielder gratefully accepted Crespo’s backheeled return with a high finish into the net.
Twenty-four passes; nine players involved; movement on and off the ball; a maximum of three touches from each man - is this the best team goal ever scored at a World Cup?
Carlos Alberto’s strike against Italy in the 1970 final has always been the favourite of pundits in search of perfection.
The Brazilian’s goal is noticeably different to Cambiasso’s: opponents are taken out of the game by self-assured dribbling, whereas Argentina let the ball do the work.
Perhaps it’s also worth noting that Brazil were two goals to the good and minutes from victory when Alberto scored. Argentina’s 1-0 lead against Serbia meant the tie was very much alive as a contest. And that’s why I’ll plump for Cambiasso’s goal as my favourite.