‘A goal for the ages’

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That was the headline today in the Buenos Aires daily La Nación, reflecting the wonder of the press here, and in Spain, with the transcendent goal that the young Argentine forward Lionel Messi scored while playing Wednesday for Barcelona.

Commentators instantly compared the goal to the classic netted by Diego Armando Maradona, the now-retired Argentine legend, against England in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. Messi, 19, hadn’t been born yet.

While the circumstances of Messi’s goal were more mundane—it was scored in Barcelona during a King’s Cup victory against rival Getafe—the art and dazzle of the young Argentine’s feat were lauded on both sides of the Atlantic. Replays and analysis of his achievement dominated sports television in Argentina.

Messi began his epic run in his own half, clearing two defenders and charging toward the visitors’ goal with opponents converging. He swerved to avoid rivals, rounded past the goal-keeper and lifted the ball home from a narrow angle.

But there was a bittersweet coda at home, as Argentines lamented a lost opportunity during last year’s disappointing World Cup. The national-squad coach opted to use Messi sparingly last year. The phenom never got a touch in the decisive match, in which host Germany ousted Argentina.

Posted by Patrick J. McDonnell and Andrés D’Alessandro in Buenos Aires