The Argentina angel

2008 Olympics final. 2021 Copa America final. 2022 Finalissima. 2022 World Cup final.

There are two common things in those matches. One is that Argentina won. The other is that Angel Di Maria scored.

In the first two, it was the solitary one to bring home the honours. In the last two, it was decisive.

Di Maria, in his last game for Argentina, lit up Lusail and brought home the glory back to Argentina 36 years on. The spotlight would definitely go to Lionel Messi, and Di Maria would gladly accept, but he played his part, and he played his part with absolute excellence.

Whether Di Maria would start the game was a question. But Lionel Scaloni opted for him to play in the left wing, facing Jules Kounde and Ousmane Dembele.

10 minutes or so into the game, the Juventus man was toying with the Barca duo. His first contribution to the game was a display of quick feet and his innate cleverness brought Argentina the penalty as Dembele tripped him in the box. Messi scores, 1-0.

13 minutes after the first goal, a delicious counter-attack from Argentina saw Alexis Mac Allister free near the French box, and he saw the sprinting Di Maria.

Once the pass was fed, the Angel from Argentina was never going to miss. His cunning finish left Hugo Lloris with no chance, and the Albiceleste were in dreamland.

Not just the direct goal contributions, Di Maria was so frightening down the left that France coach Didier Deschamps had no way but to sub off Dembele because he could not get a touch on the Argentine (except for the penalty committed), let alone

put a leash.

With half an hour left to go, Scaloni subbed Di Maria off, which might have led to France getting more dominating and finding some flow as they did not have to worry about the winger ripping their defence apart with his magic feet.

From there on, as France clawed back into the game, Di Maria was seen hapless, sobbing in the dugout. Probably the memories flashed back, of every time he could not play a part, every time his team fell short with him not on the grass. But this time, it was theirs, it was their trophy.

This time, Di Maria was Argentina’s hero, like he had been a year or so back, in Maracana. It was Maracana, eight years back, where he could not play in the final due to an injury, and had to see his team’s heart broken in extra time.

This time, more than 10,000 kilometres away from Maracana, Di Maria had his shot. And he took it. He made sure that it was a performance to remember.

After his goal, Fideo was seen in tears, of joy. Of unbridled joy. The same when he lifted the trophy.

In his final game in the Albiceleste shirt, Di Maria made a mark. With teary eyes and tantalising feet, Di Maria made sure to get his holy grail.

Diego Maradona had Jorge Burruchaga, and Di Maria ensured that Messi had him. That Argentina had him.