Tottenham’s Érik Lamela Scores for Argentina
By Ryan Wrenn
Argentina sealed a spot in the Copa América semifinals thanks in part to a goal scored by Érik Lamela, the Tottenham forward’s second in as many games for his country.
Lamela came into the Albiceleste side named for the Copa with fairly low expectations. While there’s no doubting the talents of Tottenham’s most expensive ever signing, he faced stiff competition from Argentina’s preposterous depth in attack. With Gonzalo Higuain, Javier Pastore, Sergio Agüero, Ángel di María, Ezekiel Lavezzi and of course Lionel Messi all also on the roster, Lamela’s chances seemed slim.
Indeed, that was the case in last summer’s Copa in Chile. Lamela’s contribution was limited to a single substitution appearance. He notched no goals, no assists and did little to convince Tata Martino that he should be included in future squads.
Lamela’s stock rose considerably thanks to his efforts at Tottenham this past season however. He was a first choice starter for Mauricio Pochettino for much of the season, and while his goals remained relatively scarce it was clear he had what it took to come into the Copa’s Centenario celebration and contribute.
More from Copa America
- Copa Semifinal to Pit Tottenham Against Tottenham
- USMNT Advance to Semis with Tottenham’s Yedlin Returning
- USMNT Advance But Tottenham’s Yedlin Suspended
- Tottenham’s Yedlin Unbalanced in Dominant US Win
- Tottenham’s Yedlin: U.S. Must Play Better Against Costa Rica
While Lamela expected a bigger role this time around, his chances improved greatly thanks to the absence of Messi. The Barcelona man is nursing a back injury and, combined with some significant distraction in the form of potential legal trouble back home in Spain, it meant that he’s only been fit to start one match so far.
Lamela has consequently earned 172 minutes so far in Argentina’s campaign, including a start against Bolivia earlier last week in which he scored the opening goal with a deflected free-kick. That was his first competitive goal for Argentina.
Saturday’s matchup against Venezuela in the Copa quarterfinal was the first in which Messi was fit enough to start, and thus Lamela was dropped to the bench. His efforts in earlier matches meant that he was a lock to come on at some point as a substitute, and sure enough when Nicolás Gaitán came off in the 68th minute it was Lamela who came on.
Two minutes later, Venezuela scored their first goal of the match to make the score 3-1. While not quite inspiring panic, comebacks have occurred with less time on the board. Argentina needed to press on and score or sit back and defend.
It took less than a minute for Lamela to pick which option he favored. Argentina right-back Marcos Rojo cut a ball back from the flank to Messi, who slid it onto Lamela as the Tottenham man ran into the box. It took only one touch to get the ball past Venezuelan keeper Dani Hernandez.
The celebration that ensued shows just how meaningful it was for Lamela to score his first competitive goal in open play. The 24-year-old joins the likes of Paolo Dybala and Mauro Icardi as an heir to Argentina’s current leading lights. Once Messi, Higuain Di María and Agüero — all 28 years old — begin to age out of the game, it will be Lamela who needs to lead the line.
Next: Franco Vázquez to Choose Chelsea or Tottenham
Goals like the one he scored Saturday are the strongest indication yet that Lamela is ready to step into the spotlight, and not just for Argentina. After a full season holding onto a spot in Tottenham’s starting XI, the 2016/17 season represents a chance for him to solidify his status as one of football’s most talented and entertaining younger players.