Argentina Take Positives from Palermo Miracle

It wasn't pretty, and it wasn't as easy as it should have been, but Argentina won, and the three points is the only thing that matters. While there are certainly some concerns about the defense, and the form of Javier Mascherano, who carelessly gave the ball away, allowing Peru to equalize, but Argentina now control their own destiny, which is, quite frankly, all they can ask for. 

There are many scenarios surrounding for qualification, but Argentina know that if they gain three points, they are through to South Africa, regardless of what happens else where. Should they fail to win, Chile's clash with Ecuador becomes a factor. Although Chile have now qualified, don't expect them to lie down for the Ecuadorians.

Chile's coach Marcelo Bielsa is an Argentine and coached Argentina at the 2002 World Cup, and it is unlikely he will sit back and jeopardize the fate of his own country. Chile will also want to play well for the home fans, and the atmosphere will most likely be incredible, causing problems for Ecuador. 

To avoid breaking out the calculator, Argentina must go to Montevideo and attack. Both sides will be very nervous, and an early goal for Argentina could put Uruguay into panic mode. The question really is, however, what has Maradona learned from his last match if anything?

Argentina dominated the first half against Peru. While many so called experts, particularly in the British Press, have criticized Lionel Messi, any one who watched the game knows that Messi was a key man for Argentina. He helped set up Pablo Aimar, Enzo Perez, and Gonzalo Higuain once, but each time his teammates failed to convert.

Angel Di Maria, fresh off a four-game ban for kicking a Bolivian player, was equally impressive, terrorizing the Peruvian defense down the left side. Argentina's link up play was fantastic, particularly between Aimar, Messi, and Di Maria.

In the second half, however, Maradona threw on Palermo for midfielder Enzo Perez. Although this substitution helped lead to a goal from Higuain, the balance of the team was off, and Peru were able to outnumber Argentina in the midfield. 

Maradona continued to make puzzling substitutions, withdrawing goal scorer Higuain and the man who assisted him, Pablo Aimar. The pouring rain hurt the Argentines who like to play the ball on the ground, much more than it hurt the Peruvians. Di Maria and Messi, two player who love to dribble at the defense, were neutralized in the storm.

Once Peru finally equalized, it looked like all had been lost, but Martin Palermo struck at the death, as he has done so many times through out his career. 

Despite the late equalizer, there are actually many positives to take from the match for Argentina. Gonzalo Higuain finally made his debut after months of the press and fans demand he get called up.

A hero at River Plate, Higuain, who famously scored twice in the Superclasico against Boca Juniors in 2006, returned to his home stadium and scored another important goal.

Some in the English press have said it is strange that a substitute striker at Real Madrid would start for Argentina. The English tend to forget that Higuain scored 24 goals last season to lead the team, and only after watching Karim Benzema disappear while playing against Sevilla right before the international break, did the powers that be at Madrid realize that they already had an important player to score goals.

I expect to see much more of Higuain for Real Madrid, particularly after Benzema's tirade in the locker room after the Sevilla match. 

Angel Di Maria's return to the lineup after being suspended was another pleasant addition. A hero at the 2007 U20 World Cup in Canada and the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Di Maria was one of Argentina's most dangerous players. Di Maria's teammate at Canada 2007, Emiliano Insua, made his debut, and although he had a few nervous moments, it is expected that the 20 year old can make the left back position his own. 

In goal, Argentina seems to finally found a number one. A hero in the Olympics and Canada 2007, Sergio Romero has also won the Dutch League with AZ Alkmaar, and serves a reminder that Argentina have perhaps the best young generation of players in the world.

Champions in 2005 and 2007 in the U20 World Cup, and in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, Argentina and Maradona are finally starting to build the squad around them. Ezequiel Garay, Federico Fazio, Mauro Zarate, Pablo Piatti, and Maxi Moralez are all making big strides at the club level, and hopefully Maradona will include them in future squads. 

Despite all the new blood in the squad, it was the oldest player on the field who had the final say.

Many pundits, particularly those in England, only know that Palermo famously missed three penalties in one match during the 1999 Copa America. Although that day certainly haunts the former Estudiantes star to this day, it is unfair for those who know so little about Argentine football to judge him because of one poor game.

His career has been filled with storybook goals, and Saturday was just one more example of Palermo's greatness. Just last week, "El Loco" scored the longest header of all time against Velez Sarsfield, giving Boca a 3-2 win. His cabezazo flew into the net from 40 meters, causing a wild celebration, yet it fell far short of the mass hysteria following his strike Saturday. 

Despite his heroics, Palermo will most likely start on the bench Wednesday in favor of Higuain and Messi. Should Argentina need a goal, no question Palermo will be the man Maradona turns to.