Messi and Argentina Take Home The Gold Again

August 23, 2008   •   Bejiing Olympic Soccer, Olympic Men's Soccer, Results

Lionel Messi said it was a childhood dream to win a gold medal at the Olympics. Well now his dream is fulfilled. Argentina withstood a solid performance by Nigeria and some withering heat in China to score a 1-0 victory over the Nigerians. Angel De Maria slotted home the winner in the second half of the game.

Messi fought against his club team Barcelona to have the right to play for his country. He lost initially but in the end Barcelona allowed him to play for country. And it was a good thing too as he provided some thrilling moments in the games. In the final it was his clever through pass to De Maria that broke him free to attack goal and then chip the keeper for the winner.

As the midday temps reached 104 degree F the athletes were given some heat protection as the soccer final was stopped for water breaks in the 30th and 70th minutes.

The noon kick-off was the price paid for holding the final in the magnificent Bird’s Nest stadium but it sapped the life out of the game, and both coaches stated it had affected their players.

“We do not make the rules,” said Nigerian coach Samson Siasia. “They stated we’d to play the game at 12 o’clock, which I did not think was a very good idea.”

This brings the end of the Beijing Olympic soccer tournament with Argentina the winner on the mens side and the USA on the womens side.

Tags: Olympic games, Beijing Olympic Games, olympics soccer, Olympic soccer