The latest acceleration of Arjen Robben right before heading to extra time during the game that opposed Netherlands to Argentina in the World Cup’s semi final has costed Javier Mascherano, Argentina’s savior, a painful ending.
Left alone, Robben was picked up by a tackle from, Mascherano who came to save his nation. A sacrifice from which he did not emerge unscathed, as reported by the player himself for Argentina’s public TV.
“I thought I had slipped, I thought I wouldn’t make it, but I tore my anus on that move, the pain…it was terrible. I threw myself into it. I could have been sent off. It could have been a penalty but anyone could have done that, I had the luck to get there.”
It is to be said that Mascherano is considered the best tackler of the world cup. Since the beginning of the competition, he is the player who has tackled the most his opponents with 28 successful interventions.
His last game against Netherlands has been the best in terms of balls saved by the Argentinian as he cut off power on Robben, Sneijder and De Jong in midfield.
The Moroccan Times.
