By Brian Bariyo Tumuramye
Lionel Messi’s penalty saved Argentina’s blushes against Paraguay in the Copa America on Tuesday night, but Newcastle United’s official Twitter account didn’t hold back from mocking the Barcelona superstar.
Messi had a frustrating night for Argentina, as he was marked out of the game against underdogs Paraguay.
Argentina avoided an early exit from the Copa America by the skin of their teeth after Richard Sanchez’s opener was cancelled out by Messi’s penalty. Newcastle star Miguel Almiron created the goal after an incredible run, having picked up the ball deep inside his own half before dribbling to the Argentina byline, squaring for Sanchez to fire home.
That goal looked set to send Argentina crashing out of the tournament until Messi’s equaliser but the final result still leaves them needing a win against Qatar in the final group game in order to progress.
He failed to create any real chances in the first half, and saw a promising free-kick sail disappointingly into Paraguay goalkeeper Gatito Fernandez’s hands, the forward had more success in the second half, as Sergio Aguero was brought on to replace the ineffective Lautaro Martinez at half-time.
Newcastle United posted this tweet after the game (Image: TWITTER/NUFC)This allowed Messi to have more space and freedom on the ball, and he nearly had his hand in two goals in the second half his breakthrough came after Paraguay defender Ivan Piris handled the ball inside the penalty area, Messi blasted the ball past Fernandez to level the scoring, but was unable to find an equalizer.
Newcastle’s Twitter account wasted no time after the final whistle, posting an image of Almiron tangling with Messi for the ball with the caption; “A football genius and Lionel Messi.”
Fans loved the tweet and immediately responded to praise their record signing, “Messi has Almiron posters plastered all around his bedroom wall,” one joked.
“The best player in the world… Next to him the Barcelona player,” another posted, One simply replied: “What a football club.” “The best soccer player in the world and his name is Miguel Almiron, and in the other way Messi,” another posted.
