Tottenham Hotspur star Cristian Romero helps Argentina reach 2022 World Cup quarter-final by beating Australia
To barely anyone’s surprise, Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero started in Argentina’s last 16 clash against Australia on 3 December in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Those who have followed La Albiceleste in the past couple of years would know that Romero has been an indispensable part of manager Lionel Scaloni’s team. Argentina have quality and experience in Lisandro Martinez and Nicolas Otamendi.
But Spurs’ 24-year-old defensive superstar has become one of their defensive mainstays. He was questioned for Saudi Arabia’s first goal in his team’s 2-1 loss in the opening group-stage game.
But it was more of a reactionary claim from onlookers rather than valid criticism. He was decent in that game and was hooked in the 59th minute for Martinez perhaps due to the fact that it was the first time he was playing after an injury that saw him miss our last six games before the World Cup break.
He was impeccable in the 2-1 win against Australia and will certainly be a shoo-in to feature in the last-eight clash against the Netherlands, who beat the USA 3-1 earlier today. Apart from a freak goal conceded via a deflection with 15 minutes left on the clock, Argentina were solid at the back.
Argentina have reacted well to their loss against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Romero has been a big reason behind it. The defensive stability he has given the team has helped the attack and midfield to do their job.
Some would say that the two-time FIFA World Cup winners are yet to be challenged by a truly elite team. But at this level, there are no easy games.
A deep run for Romero in the competition has just one downside – his fitness levels. Spurs don’t boast a defence where they can rest a player of Romero’s quality and expect the quality in the backline to remain the same.
More Tottenham Hotspur News:
- Tottenham star Richarlison and Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus on four-man Real Madrid striker shortlist
- Tottenham Hotspur star Bryan Gil will be allowed to leave on loan if Antonio Conte brings in a replacement
- Tam McManus predicts Richarlison to have a better second-half season for Tottenham Hotspur
We perhaps did him a favour and didn’t rush him back before the World Cup to keep him fit for Argentina. Hopefully, he returns without a scratch, fresh, and ready to put in the quality performances we have come to expect of him and the ones we have seen him give in the sky blue and white shirt.
