4 quick thoughts on Angel Di Maria’s rocket of a goal

Angel Di Maria scored an incredible goal in France vs. Argentina on Saturday in their Round of 16 knockout match, a 28-yard bomb completely against the run of play which tied the match 1-1.

France dominated, then Argentina got one, and now they’re leading. Nothing makes sense.

But parts of this goal do make sense. Let’s break it down:

1. Before we get to Angel Di Maria’s brilliance here, we have to take a moment to talk about France. Here’s the thing about the defending on this play — A) there was none, really and B) that’s especially befuddling because France has a lineup in with three defensive midfielders. They’re playing N’Golo Kante (who’s basically in charge of keeping an eye on Messi), then they have Paul Pogba playing a reserved role and, for good measure, have defensive midfielder Blaise Matuidi in there to play on the left wing and help out on defense. It’s a pretty conservative lineup from France coach Didier Deschamps, who has the option to go much more attacking.

By putting on three defensive midfielders, though, it’s pretty much explicitly to prevent this kind of thing from happening. You put on those guys so Argentina doesn’t get the random play where a midfielder has time 25-30 yards out and can fire one in.

2) Still with France — it’s not like Argentina had a breathtaking bit of play here to set up Di Maria. The ball started out on the left, then they passed it to him in the center. He didn’t make any extravagant run off the ball. He just sort of showed for it, and received it, and no one thought to come defend him. That right there is the power of Messi, though — as you can see, both center backs dare not leave him in the middle of the field. Without them stepping, and the French midfielders hesitating, that gave Di Maria the second he needed to set up the shot.

3) And what a shot. Di Maria hits it clean with the left foot, and it tails away from keeper Hugo Lloris, impossible to save. I’d write more about it but I’m not sure what I’d say: Dude just hit the ball absolutely pure.

4) I can’t believe Argentina is playing this way and getting away with it. Their tactics don’t really make any sense. They can’t handle Kylian Mbappe, they’re slow and overwhelmed in the back, they don’t have a striker in. Last game was just as confusing. Yet two games in a row they’ve gotten world-class goals — from Messi and Di Maria, respectively — and now they’re leading France. This is wild.