Mascherano: The Unsung Hero

The Unsung Hero: Mascherano

Small in size. Not in stature.

While people all over the world were busy applauding Messi and naming Argentina as the so called ‘one man team’, there was a man who worked relentlessly and silently weaved his magic on the pitch. Nicknamed 'El Jefecito' or the 'Little Chief’ and standing at just 174 cm, Mascherano was anything but little in this tournament. He was small in size but not in stature

He was the captain of the ship, the man who kept the engine running. He more often than not destroyed opposition attacks almost single-handedly. Mascherano played every single minute of Argentina’s World Cup campaign(725 minutes in 7 games), which gives a fair idea about how reliant Argentina were on him.

While Argentina thrives on swift counter attacks with the likes of Di Maria, Lavezzi and Messi, it is Mascherano who provides a calming presence at the back absorbing the oppositions attack and thus preventing the reverse counter.

Shielding the Back four

Lying in the deep midfielder role he saw more of the ball than any other player and seldom did he disappoint. Often finding spaces and delivering accurate passes. He has the third highest number of passes(496 successful) in the tournament with an accuracy of 89% which is better than most.

Not only did he contribute to the team in initiating the attack, his more important contributions came in stopping the opposition from making one. Mascherano who thrives at making tackles made more tackles than majority (23 successful) and won more than 50% of the duels with rarely committing fouls and giving away free kicks. Having accumulated just one yellow card speaks volumes about his discipline. Also, Mascherano made a high no. of interceptions (18) thus thwarting the opposition attack before it could develop.

His most notable performances were against Belgium and Dutch.

Against Belgium he stopped the wizardry of Hazard and De Bruyne right in their tracks thus leaving Belgium heartless at attack. He orchestrated the entire play and dominated the midfield in a game which was arguably the best Argentina played.

Match winning tackle

Against Dutch, his game was more than decent but he made a tackle which was undoubtedly the most important he could ever make. The game was in the dying minutes and looked bound for Extra Time but Sneijder with a cheeky flick to Robben and he was through. He took two touches and was about to take his shot and looked certain to score. The goal which would shatter Argentine dreams. But the latter was a slightly heavy touch which gave Mascherano a glimmer of hope. He galloped back with all the energy he had. Meanwhile, Robben got his shot away but Mascherano had other plans. He dived in to block the effort with an outstretched boot denying Robben. Thus reigniting the Argentine Flame of hope.

It was a moment of pure genius which was vital in taking Argentina through to the finals. Cometh the hour, Cometh the man

In all Argentina wouldn't have made it through to the finals if it weren't for Mascherano. Thought the limelight will be taken by his more famed teammates like Messi, Di Maria and Higuain.' If Messi was the crowning jewel of Argentina, Mascherano was the head it lied on'

Statistics at Squakwa