Even when Argentina’s Round-of-16 tie with Switzerland went into extra-time, Angel Di Maria kept on running and running, right till the end. That came with Nati keeper Diego Benaglio coming up in desperation for a corner and Di Maria scampering towards the halfway line when the ball was cleared to him. The tireless wide man took one look at the vacant Swiss goal and tried his luck from the middle of the pitch, looking on in disappointment as the ball went just wide. The remarkable thing about that final effort on goal was that it was Di Maria’s 12th of the game and only the second that was not on target. Ultimately, the miss did not matter, for just a few moments earlier the insatiable Di Maria had scored the goal that gave La Albiceleste victory in yet another dramatic encounter and took them into the quarter-finals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazi. One man to appreciate his lung-busting efforts at the end of an energy-sapping afternoon was Javier Mascherano, who was understandably relieved to be on the same side as the No7 and not facing him, as is usually the case during the Spanish league season. Speaking to FIFA.com,
Mascherano said: “He’s a fantastic player and he covers every blade of grass. He’s fantastic not just because of his fitness, but for his technique too. Playing against him is tough, really tough. At least we’re on the same side right now.”
Source, fifa.com
