Argentina could have used Angel di Maria against Germany in July.
Di Maria missed the 2014 FIFA World Cup final due to a thigh injury and had to watch in agony as Argentina lost 1-0 to Germany in the biggest game of his life.
The fit-again di Maria stole the show when the teams met in an exhibition game in Germany on Wednesday. The Argentinian playmaker scored one goal and set-up three more in a scintillating performance that left the soccer world wondering “what if?”
In the 20th minute, di Maria used the outside of his foot to pick out Sergio Aguero with a perfectly placed pass, which the Argentina striker expertly finished.
Di Maria found Erik Lamela with a simple cross in the 40th minute. Lamela volleyed it past Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to make it 2-0.
Two minutes after halftime, di Maria curled a free kick to the far post where defender Federico Fernandez rose and headed it past substitute goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller.
In the 50th minute, Di Maria highlighted his performance with Argentina’s fourth, and final, goal of the game.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL6tGNKv5aY&w=640&h=360]
“Angel di Maria showed why he is one of the five best players in the world,” Argentina coach Gerardo Martino said after the game, according to the Associated Press.
The festive atmosphere for Wednesday’s game didn’t match the white-hot setting of the 2014 World Cup final. Germany was without its captain, Bastian Schweinsteiger and three legendary players, Philipp Lahm, Miroslav Klose and Per Mertesacker, who retired from international soccer after the World Cup. Also, Lionel Messi didn’t play for Argentina, as he was recovering from a leg injury.
But di Maria’s performance left Argentina fans wringing their hands at what they missed and Manchester United fans drooling over what their record signing will bring to the Red Devils in the months and years to come.
Fully loaded Germany tops Argentina in World Cup final >>
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@FIFAcom
GIFs via Reddit
