World Cup Moments: Argentina’s Passing Move Goal vs Serbia & Montenegro

April 21st, 2010 | by: Daryl |

topper-cambiasso Some say it was 26 passes. Some say it was 25. Some say it was 24. I think the higher numbers include either the initial tackle or the actual finish or both. I say it doesn’t matter which number you choose, because Argentina’s second goal vs Serbia & Montenegro at the 2006 World Cup was something special. It was Esteban Cambiasso on the scoresheet, but this was a goal that belonged to the whole team.

It begins with a Maxi Rodriguez toe poke to regain possession, and twenty-something quick passes later it ends with a Hernan Crespo backheel and an Esteban Cambiasso finish. So many great things to say about this goal. Let’s start with the obvious: The short passing and movement. We’re always told this is how football should be played, but it’s still rare to see it actually happen this way. Very few flicks, very few tricks, just top level professional footballers performing the very simple and effective action of passing and moving.

Here’s the goal, in all its YouTubey glory:

I especially like that there’s a sense of purpose about the passing. It’s not slow or lazy, and so you always feel like this move is going somewhere. Even when Argentina go backwards there’s a sense that they are looking to open up the S&M defence.

My favourite thing about this goal is that it ends with a flourish. Because Argentina (with, it must be said, more than a little help from Serbia & Montenegro’s lackadaisical defending) made the passing move look so very easy, it would have been something of an anti-climax if they’d just walked the ball into the net. Easy doesn’t always equal impressive. But after all the build-up, the goal itself happens quickly. Cambiasso gets it just outside the box and plays a quick ball into Hernan Crespo, who returns the pass with a perfectly weighted backheel. For me that backheel is the one bit of misdirection the move needed. The flourish. Cambiasso falls as he strikes the ball left footed, but it still goes in, straight up the middle. Brilliant.

The Guardian published a diagram of the move the next day, titled “Twenty-four Steps to Heaven”, which design and architecture (and other stuff) blog City of Sound photographed to go with an excellent essay about the very same goal:
24 steps

If your head hurts looking at all those overlapping lines, then try imagining how the S&M players felt watching the move unfold in front of them.

Argentina went on to win this game 6-0, and at that stage were everyone’s favourite to win the 2006 World Cup. How could they not be? Obviously that didn’t happen, and coach José Pekerman was so disappointed with Argentina’s exit that he resigned. In one way that doesn’t matter though. Because Pekerman and his 2006 Argentina won’t be remembered for losing against Germany in the quarter-final. Pekerman and his 2006 Argentina team will be remembered for this goal, and that perfect passing move.

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http://manutd.theoffside.com Taylor Rockwell

I wanna know why Heinze and Burdissio were too damn lazy to get involved… That’s just poor form… J/K…
Jay

About a week before the world cup S&M (an appropriate acronym for that sorry union) Montenegro separated from Serbia….the team unity was nonexistent….players didn’t sing the national anthem (the old Commie anthem) and apparently didn’t like each other so much that they were hurting each other in training (as I recall a goalie had his jaw broken and Vidic hurt his knee). While this buildup was impressive, and very attractive to watch, I can’t help but feel that it isn’t as impressive when you realize that the team they were playing against really wasn’t trying very hard and put forth a sorry ass effort in all three games they played. If Argentina (or any other squad) can pull that off (or something like it) against this year’s Serbia squad, or any team that is actually trying…well then I’ll be truly impressed.
Coconut

Since this is an Argentina Article, I just want to say that Maxi Rodriguez’ goal against us (Mexico) in the R16 will be forever be etched in my mind…
http://www.worldcupblog.org Daryl

I wouldn’t disagree with any of that Jay, and I probably should have noted the state of the S&M team in the above post. However, it’s not as if every team who played S&M put together a similar move, and so – to me at least – what Argentina did was still very impressive.
Rob

Argentina probably were the best team at the last world cup. Just goes to show…
Jay

Daryl, I agree with you on that….I’m just still bitter about the embarrassing lack of effort S&M displayed ;)….just wanted to add some context. As someone of Serbian decent I have to admit that I was/am ashamed of how they played in that Cup. Until I see them play in this coming WC I’ll be apprehensive about Serbia and will keep my paper bag handy. On paper I really think they could be a dark-horse pick similar to Croatia a few years ago. Regardless of the circumstances, it was one of the most memorable plays of the 2006 cup though.
MoMONEY

This is why they need Riquelme… Wont be the same without him
Jean-Francois

Jay I think Serbia are a definate Dark Horse. They qualified above France and actually held them too a tie in Belgrade. They posess some very great players to. If I were a Serbian fan I’d definately look forward to this World Cup.

As for Argentina. This makes me curious as to what they can do in the coming competiton. They still have many of those players that played in 06. Also, Messi, Tevez, and Higuain are all rediculously amazing right now. It hurts for me to compliment Higuain because I see him as a bit of a traitor to France. That being said? Who will start up front for Argentina? Messi and Tevez?

50 days until the World Cup!
http://tuddyms.com Vlad

Showed this post to all my serbian classmates in politics class and we had a great laugh, they agree with jay and say that the wish their never was serbia and montenegro…
alex

coconut – as a mexican, that goal also is ecthed in my mind, that goal was beautiful, but it still hurts

i remember watching the game, and i was tired of seeing argentina with the ball, i remember thinking “they better get the ball before they score”
soccerstar

Great goal! reminds me of maradona’s individual effort in Mexico…

As for Pakerman, he had to resign for swinging the game in Germany’s favour by substituting Requelme. That was the defining moment for the game.
http://www.deanbreaker.com/ Amy

Jay I think Serbia are a definate Dark Horse. They qualified above France and actually held them too a tie in Belgrade. They posess some very great players to. If I were a Serbian fan I’d definately look forward to this World Cup.

As for Argentina. This makes me curious as to what they can do in the coming competiton. They still have many of those players that played in 06. Also, Messi, Tevez, and Higuain are all rediculously amazing right now. It hurts for me to compliment Higuain because I see him as a bit of a traitor to France. That being said? Who will start up front for Argentina? Messi and Tevez?

50 days until the World Cup!
Sol

In contrast to this spectecular goal I’d like to present Haan (at the end of this video):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc3rHlk5BfY&feature=related

Sometimes, football is easy.
http://www.tokyofashionguide.com/ Anthony

Showed this post to all my serbian classmates in politics class and we had a great laugh, they agree with jay and say that the wish their never was serbia and montenegro…
http://www.borncompany.com/ Paul

What’s amazing about the diagram in the image above is the lack of player movement WITH the ball. It’s all about the off-ball movement and making space for a pass to be received & the movement around the guy who is receiving the ball so he has options to pass.

Just goes to prove the old axiom that it’s more important to move well off the ball than on it. A wonderful goal.
http://www.spicesauce.com/ Jeff

Jay I think Serbia are a definate Dark Horse. They qualified above France and actually held them too a tie in Belgrade. They posess some very great players to. If I were a Serbian fan I’d definately look forward to this World Cup.

As for Argentina. This makes me curious as to what they can do in the coming competiton. They still have many of those players that played in 06. Also, Messi, Tevez, and Higuain are all rediculously amazing right now. It hurts for me to compliment Higuain because I see him as a bit of a traitor to France. That being said? Who will start up front for Argentina? Messi and Tevez?

50 days until the World Cup!
http://www.clubparadisephilippines.com/ Robin

Jay I think Serbia are a definate Dark Horse. They qualified above France and actually held them too a tie in Belgrade. They posess some very great players to. If I were a Serbian fan I’d definately look forward to this World Cup.

As for Argentina. This makes me curious as to what they can do in the coming competiton. They still have many of those players that played in 06. Also, Messi, Tevez, and Higuain are all rediculously amazing right now. It hurts for me to compliment Higuain because I see him as a bit of a traitor to France. That being said? Who will start up front for Argentina? Messi and Tevez?

50 days until the World Cup!
http://www.speedgearreview.com/ Sam

Jay I think Serbia are a definate Dark Horse. They qualified above France and actually held them too a tie in Belgrade. They posess some very great players to. If I were a Serbian fan I’d definately look forward to this World Cup.

As for Argentina. This makes me curious as to what they can do in the coming competiton. They still have many of those players that played in 06. Also, Messi, Tevez, and Higuain are all rediculously amazing right now. It hurts for me to compliment Higuain because I see him as a bit of a traitor to France. That being said? Who will start up front for Argentina? Messi and Tevez?

50 days until the World Cup!