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Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe 2021: Test Series Preview
Despite losing the most recent home series against Sri Lanka in May, Bangladesh will be a tough opponent for the host Zimbabwe in the one-off Test series, which begins on Wednesday at the Harare Sports Club Arena. Zimbabwe also lost their most recent Test series against Pakistan at home. So, both sides will be looking to return in winning momentum in this series. Zimbabwe have been struggling on the international stage lately, therefore Bangladesh are the overwhelming favorite to win this Test series. Here we present a preview of Bangladesh vs. Zimbabwe 2021 Test Series. It will give you an insight into the two teams' strengths.
Notable Test record between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe
Bangladesh tour of Zimbabwe will kick off with the one-off Test series. Bangladesh will then play three ODIs and three T20Is during the tour. Here are some head-to-head notable Test records between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
# Three of the nine bilateral Test series between the two sides have been won by Bangladesh. Zimbabwe have won four series and two have ended in a draw.
# Mushfiqur Rahim has scored the most (846) runs for Bangladesh, while Brendon Taylor (1,066) is topping the list of most runs.
Read BAN vs ZIM: Five Most Memorable Matches Between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe
# Taijul Islam has taken the most (41) wickets for Bangladesh, while Kyle Jarvis (24) has taken the most wickets for Zimbabwe.
# Mushfiqur Rahim made the highest individual score (219*) for Bangladesh, while Brendon Taylor played the highest individual innings (171) for Zimbabwe.
# Taijul Islam has the best bowling figures for Bangladesh (8/39), while Douglas Hondo has the best bowling figures for Zimbabwe (6/59).
Read:Shakib, Mehidy star in practice match
Probable Bangladesh Playing XI
BCB announced an 18-man squad for the one-off Test series against Zimbabwe. Bangladesh’s pacers have done well in the recent international series, that’s why the selectors have picked four pacers in Bangladesh’s longer version squad.
The selectors have included three genuine spinners apart from all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan. Experienced wicket-keeper Nurul Hasan Sohan has been recalled to the Bangladesh team after a two-year absence along with veteran Mahmudullah Riyad. Apart from that, most of the predicted names have been included in this squad.
Captain Mominul Haque and four other senior members of the squad, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, and Shakib Al Hasan, are all available for the series and will be in charge of marshalling the troops against an inexperienced Zimbabwean side.
Read BAN vs. ZIM Test Series 2021: Big Takeaways From the Warm-Up Match
The players who can make a difference
Tamim Iqbal: Test: 64 | Runs: 4,788 | HS: 206 | AVE: 39.57
Shakib Al Hasan: Test: 57 | Runs: 3,930 | HS: 217 | Wkts: 210 | BBI: 7/36
Mushfiqur Rahim: Test: 74 | Runs: 4,685 | HS:219* | AVE: 37.18
Predicted Bangladesh Playing XI:
Tamim Iqbal, Shadman Islam, Shakib Al Hasan, Mominul Haque (Captain), Mushfiqur Rahim, NurulHasan (wk), MehediHasanMiraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Abu Jayed, Shoriful Islam
Read:Windies vs South Africa T20I Series 2021: SA Clinch the Series Against WI
Probable Zimbabwe Playing XI
On Thursday (July 1), Zimbabwe C named a 20-man squad for the one-off Test match against Bangladesh. The Zimbabwe Cricket Board confirmed that Sean Williams will act as captain for the series.
Zimbabwe's selectors have picked four uncapped players in their squad for this lone Test match. They've all amassed enough first-class experience to be called up to the national side.
The selectors have picked veteran players such as Brendan Taylor, Donald Tiripano, Regis Chakabva, and Craig Ervine in addition to the newcomers for the longer version match against Bangladesh.
Read England vs Sri Lanka ODI Series 2021: Eng Seal the Series Against SL
The players who can make a difference
Regis Chakabva: Test:11 | Runs: 1,029 | HS: 101 | AVE: 27.07
Brendan Taylor: Test: 33 | Runs: 2,147 | HS: 171 | AVE: 34.62
Donald Tiripano: Test: 14 | Wkts: 24 | BBI: 3/23 | Runs: 454 | HS: 95
Predicted Zimbabwe Playing XI:
Kevin Kasuza, TarisaiMusakanda, Regis Chakabva (wk), Brendan Taylor (Captain), Milton Shumba, TendaiChisoro, Luke Jongwe, Donald Tiripano, Roy Kaia, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani
Read:Tigers to play a warm-up match ahead of crucial Zimbabwe series
Verdict
Both teams will bid to secure this series after losing their last one at home. The one-off Bangladesh vs. Zimbabwe 2021 Test Series Preview shows that Bangladesh are considerably ahead of Zimbabwe in terms of the overall Test record between these two teams. Moreover, the current Bangladesh squad is stronger than Zimbabwe and they will start as the favorite in the series. So, we can expect a good contest between the two low-ranked Test teams.
Read What Bangladesh Cricket Fans Can Expect From Herath and Prince?
Brazil edges Peru to reach Copa America final
Many Brazil players didn't want to take part in the Copa America tournament. After the Selecao advanced to the final with a 1-0 win over Peru on Monday, some players said they hoped to see their archrivals on Saturday at the Maracana Stadium.
“I want Argentina in the final," Neymar said after the match at the Nilton Santos Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. “I am cheering for them because I have many friends there. In the final, Brazil will win.”
Read: Brazil beats Chile at Copa America despite 2nd-half red card
Argentina and Colombia will play the other semifinal on Tuesday.
Neymar made the difference on the bumpy pitch of the Nilton Santos Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. The only goal of the match came in the 34th minute after he tricked defender Alexander Callens on the left edge of the box and assisted Lucas Paquetá, who just pushed the ball to the back of the net.
Peruvian goalkeeper Pedro Gallese was one of the best of the match despite his team's elimination. He made two difficult saves from short range in the 18th minute, one by Neymar and the other by Richarlison, which could have allowed Brazil to cruise to victory sooner.
Brazil gave the impression it could score when it wanted against Peru, a team the Selecao had thrashed 4-0 in the group stage of the tournament. But the second half was very different, with Gianluca Lapadula forcing goalkeeper Ederson to make a key save in the 49th minute after a crossed. Brazil still had opportunities, but continued to waste counter-attacks.
Read: Argentina beats Ecuador at Copa, plays Colombia in semifinal
Brazil seeks its 10th title in the South American championship in its ninth final in the latest 14 editions of the tournament, which was moved to Brazil after Argentina and Colombia withdrew from co-hosting it due to COVID-19 concerns.
“Today we were solid at the back, everyone helped, that's what we need to win titles,” midfielder Casemiro said. He was one of the players who before the tournament began criticized the organization for sending the Copa to Brazil.
Brazil has alarming COVID-19 figures and a crisis at its soccer confederation which led to the suspension of president Rogerio Caboclo after a sexual harassment charge. Caboclo denies any wrongdoing.
Two years ago Brazil won the title without injured Neymar in a 3-1 win over Peru. Next Saturday's final, which will be played in front of no fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic, promises to be more challenging.
Former Lankan analyst handed seven-year ban for bribery
The former performance analyst of Sri Lanka Cricket, Sanath Jayasundara, has been handed a seven-year ban from all cricket after the International Cricket Council (ICC) found him guilty of breaching its Anti-Corruption Code.
Following a full hearing and presentation of written and oral argument, the ICC Anti-Corruption Tribunal found Jayasundara guilty of offering a bribe or other reward to the Sri Lankan sports minister to contrive in any way or otherwise influence improperly the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of an international match, the global governing body of cricket said Monday.
He was also found obstructing or delaying an Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) investigation into possible corrupt conduct under the ICC Anti-Corruption Code.
ICC General Manager (Integrity Unit) Alex Marshall, said: "Jayasundara's attempt to bribe a minister is a grave transgression while the efforts to cover up his tracks and the lack of remorse are hugely disappointing."
"We won't tolerate corrupt conduct in our sport, and my team will be relentless in preventing such behaviour. This ban should serve as a deterrent for anyone who may be tempted along the wrong path."
The ban is backdated to May 11, 2019, when Jayasundara was provisionally suspended.
Shakib brings energy to Bangladesh team, believes Domingo
Ahead of the away series against Zimbabwe, Shakib Al Hasan returned to the Bangladesh Test squad bringing energy to the team, head coach Russel Domingo says.
He missed the Sri Lanka series earlier to take part in the Indian Premeir League (IPL).
The first match of the series, the one-off Test, will take place on July 7 at the Harare Sports Club. Bangladesh played a two-day practice match ahead of the series where Shakib hit a fifty and bagged three wickets.
READ: BAN vs. ZIM Test Series 2021: Big Takeaways From the Warm-Up Match
“Shakib looks really hungry to play Tests again. The thing that’s always the key with big players is their desire and attitude when they come into a Test series. It is great to have him back. He balances the side really well. He bats in the top six, and he is a frontline bowler. He is what every international team is looking for, so it is really pleasing to have him back. He has brought really good energy and attitude on this tour, as well,” Domingo told the media in a press conference in Harare on Monday.
Shakib played his last Test at home against the West Indies earlier this year, which was his first Test series after he returns from a two-year ban, with one year suspended, imposed by the ICC due to failing to report corrupt approaches made to him.
He missed the Sri Lanka series earlier to take part in the Indian Premeir League (IPL).
While Shakib has an obvious place in the playing XI, Bangladesh team management is concerned about Mushfiqur Rahim and Tamim Iqbal. Both have been suffering from injuries sustained during the Bangabandhu Dhaka Premier Division Twenty20 Cricket League last month.
However, Domingo said Mushfiq is confident of making the Test as he has been recovering well. But the inclusion of Tamim in the first Test remained doubtful.
“Mushfiq is pretty confident that he will be fit to play. He has done his rehab really well. Everything seems to be on track. I am pretty confident that he will be playing. But we are still not 100 per cent sure about Tamim. There’s still a lot of doubt regarding him. I think a decision will be made in the near future,” the Bangladesh coach added.
In the last two Test series against the West Indies and Sri Lanka, Bangladesh failed to win any match. According to Domingo, despite the defeats to the West Indies and Sri Lanka, Bangladesh managed to have some positives which can pay off now.
“We are a team that wants to focus very much on the process. If we can focus on our performances, and the brand of cricket we are playing, doing the basics well, hopefully, the results will come our way,” Domingo further added.
Bangladesh played four Tests in Harare and won only one of them. According to the head coach, if the Tigers would like to taste success in Harare, they have to show endurance and maintain the pressure for a long period of time.
“We have to be patient, disciplined, and hold on to the chances which might not come around often. When they do come, we have to be mentally ready to take those chances,” the Bangladesh coach further told the media.
READ: Shakib, Mehidy star in practice match
Bangladesh and Zimbabwe locked horns in 17 Tests, with Bangladesh winning seven of them, and Zimbabwe also won as many Tests. The other matches ended up in draw.
After the Test series, both the teams will take on each other in three ODIs and as many T20Is. All the matches of the series will take place at the Harare Sports Club. Test and ODIs will start at 1:30 pm (Bangladesh time) while T20Is will be commenced at 4:30 pm (Bangladesh time).
Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar: Who Has Acquired Most International Achievements?
Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, and Brazil’s Neymar are the three most popular footballers in the world right now. They have a massive fan base all around the world because of their footballing talent. Interestingly, none of them have much international success for their respective countries, which is very surprising.However, the success they have achieved internationally is no less important. They all have the capacity to continue playing professional football for a few more years, giving them the chance to better their international records. In this article, we looked at who has gained most international achievements among Messi, Ronaldo, and Neymar?
Read:Argentina beats Ecuador at Copa, plays Colombia in semifinal
Lionel Messi's International Record for Argentina
Lionel Messi was born in 1987 and made his international debut for Argentina against Hungary at the age of 18 in 2005. Since then, he has appeared in the most international matches (149) and scored the most goals (76) for Argentina.
Lionel Messi has played in five Copa America tournaments and four FIFA World Cup events. Argentina has reached three Copa America finals (2007, 2015, and 2016) and one FIFA World Cup final (2014), but Messi has yet to win a major trophy with his country.Lionel Messi is now competing in his sixth Copa America championship in Brazil, and it is expected that he will finally win a major tournament with the Argentina national team.
Despite the fact that he has yet to win a big title with Argentina's senior team, he has some significant success with Argentina's junior teams. In 2005, he won the FIFA U20 World Cup, and in 2008, he earned the Summer Olympic Gold Medal.
Lionel Messi’s international stats:
Matches: 149* | Goals: 76 | Assists: 55
Read:Euro2020 semi-finalists have been determined
Cristiano Ronaldo’s International Record for Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo was born in 1985 and made his international debut for Portugal against Kazakhstan at the age of 18 in 2003. Along with Iran's Ali Daei, he has scored the most international goals (109) and has played the most international matches (179) for Portugal.
Cristiano Ronaldo has played in five UEFA European Championships and four FIFA World Cups. During this time, Portugal has been in two European Championship finals, the first in 2004 and the second in 2016, winning the latter by defeating France in the decider. Portugal have never qualified for a FIFA World Cup final; their best finish was fourth place in the 2006 edition.
Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal national team also won the inaugural edition of the UEFA Nations League in 2019.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s international stats:
Matches: 179* | Goals: 109 | Assists: 41
Read:Denmark beats Czechs 2-1 to reach Euro 2020 semifinals
Neymar’s International Record for Brazil
Born in 1992, Neymar made his international debut for Brazil against the United States at the age of 18 in 2010. Since then, he has appeared in 109 international matches for Brazil, scoring 68 goals. He only needs 10 more goals to surpass Pele as the all-time leading scorer for Brazil.
Neymar has competed in five Copa America tournaments, winning the most recent one in 2019. He has also competed in two FIFA World Cups (2014 and 2018), with his best performance with the Brazilian national team being a fourth-place finish in the 2014 edition. He also won the Summer Olympic Gold Medal in 2016.
Neymar’s international stats:
Matches: 109* | Goals: 68| Assists: 46
Read:Brazil beats Chile at Copa America despite 2nd-half red card
Bottom Line
After evaluating the career achievements of Messi, Ronaldo, and Neymar in the international sphere, it is clear that Cristiano has a better record than the other two. Cristiano Ronaldo has won a UEFA EURO Championship and the Nations League in 2019, while Neymar has won the Copa America in 2019. On the other hand, Lionel Messi has yet to win a major tournament with the national team.
BAN vs. ZIM Test Series 2021: Big Takeaways From the Warm-Up Match
The lone Test match between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe will start on Wednesday (July 7). BCB has included all of the senior players in the squad for the Test series. Players from the Bangladesh squad played a two-day warm-up match against a Zimbabwe Select XI before this longer-version contest. This practice match was necessary to ensure full preparation for the crucial Test match. The players had a fruitful practice in this match as almost everyone scored runs and bowlers took wickets. Big takeaways from the warm-up match ahead of the BAN vs. ZIM Test Series 2021 are discussed in this article.
Read:Shakib, Mehidy star in practice match
The Warm-Up Match Highlights Ahead of the BAN vs. ZIM Test Series 2021
Batting
All the Bangladeshi batsmen had a good time in the middle during the warm-up match against Zimbabwe Select XI at the Harare Sports Club. Opted to bat first, Bangladesh scored 313/2d, but Most of Bangladesh's batters retired on their own to give others a chance to bat. Only Shadman Islam and the skipper MominulHaque lost their wickets in the innings.
Shadman Islam opened the innings along with SaifHasan for Bangladesh. Saif seemed solid and confident while Shadman was a bit shaky and eventually returned to the pavilion without scoring a run.
Bangladesh skipper MominulHaque stepped out to bat when SaifHasan retired hurt after a fantastic 65 (108) run knock that included 13 boundaries and a six. MominulHaque scored 31 runs in 77 balls before giving up his wicket to Chipungu.
Read BAN vs ZIM: Five Most Memorable Matches Between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe
Following Mominul's departure, all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan stepped out to bat and scored 74 off 56 balls, including 14 boundaries and a six. It was a crucial knock for Shakib, who has struggled to score since his comeback to international cricket in January this year. This innings would boost his confidence ahead of the forthcoming Test match.
Apart from that, Najmul Hossain Shanto (52), Liton Das (37), and veteran Mahmudullah Riyad (40) enjoyed their time at the crease.
Tamim Iqbal (18) and Shadman Islam (4) stayed unbeaten in the second innings, putting up 22 runs in their opening partnership.
Read:Windies vs South Africa T20I Series 2021: SA Clinch the Series Against WI
Bowling
In the chase of Bangladesh’s 312 runs, Zimbabwe were all-out for 202 runs in 72.5 overs. TimycenMaruma (58) scored the most runs for Zimbabwe Select XI, while opener TakudzwanasheKaitano (32) and middle-order batsman Wesley Madhevere (28) both played good innings for the Zimbabwean side.
Shakib Al Hasan and MehidyHasanMiraz each took three wickets for Bangladesh. Miraz was a bit expensive, allowing 4 runs per over. Miraz gave up 64 runs in 16 overs while only getting two maiden overs. On the other hand, Shakib had a bowling statistic of 12.5-2-34-3.
Besides them, pacers Shoriful Islam (2), Taskin Ahmed (1), and Ebadot Hossain (1) also bowled well. Bangladesh's most economical bowler was off-spinner NayeemHasan, he conceded only 10 runs in his eight overs but remained wicketless. While Abu JayedRahi gave up 14 runs in his 7 overs spell.
Read England vs Sri Lanka ODI Series 2021: Eng Seal the Series Against SL
The Bangladeshi bowlers had a productive practice match, and they will hopefully do much better in the Test match.
Bottom Line
After analyzing the big takeaways from the warm-up match ahead of the BAN vs. ZIM Test Series 2021, it is clear that the players had a productive practice match. If Mahmudullah Riyad is picked for playing XI, he will play his 50th Test match. However, we can expect the best eleven will take part in the upcoming Test against Zimbabwe.
Read:Lankan Premier League: Shakib, Tamim included in draft line-up
Shakib, Mehidy star in practice match
In the two-day practice match against the Zimbabwe Select XI, Shakib Al Hasan hit a fifty and bagged three wickets. Along with him, Mehidy Hasan Miraz also bagged three scalps. The match, which took place at the Takashinga Sports Club, Highfield, Harare, ended in a draw on Sunday.
Bangladesh won the toss in this match and opted to bat first. The tourists posted a total of 313 for two and declared their innings, with Shakib (74), Saif Hassan (65), and Najmul Hossain Shanto (52) doing well with the bat.
In reply, Zimbabwe Select XI tumbled for 202 . Captain Timycen Maruma was the best batsman for them hitting 58 off 132 balls.
Also read: Lankan Premier League: Shakib, Tamim included in draft line-up
For Bangladesh, Shakib bagged three wickets conceding 34 runs while Miraz also scalped as many wickets conceding 64. Besides them, Shoriful Islam took two wickets, and Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain took one wicket each.
The one-off Test will take place from July 7 at the Harare Sports Club. The three ODIs will take place on July 16, 18, and 20 while the T20Is will be played on July 23, 25, and 27 respectively at the same venue.
Test and ODIs will start at 1:30 pm (Bangladesh time) while T20Is at 4:30 pm (Bangladesh time).
Bangladesh’s last Zimbabwe tour was in 2013 when the Tigers ended up the series in a draw winning the one match of the two-match series.
Also read: Shakib shines ahead of Zimbabwe Test
After 2013, Zimbabwe toured Bangladesh thrice for the Test series and lost two of them, with the last series was a one-off Test affair.
Overall, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe took each other in nine Test series. Of them, Zimbabwe won four and Bangladesh came up victorious in three. The other two series ended up a draw.
Bangladesh’s Test squad:
Muminul Haque (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Shdman Islam, Saif Hassan, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das, Mahmudullah Riyad, Yasir Ali, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mehedy Hasan Miraz, Taizul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Abu Jayed Rahi, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain and Shoriful Islam, Shakib Al Hasan, Nurul Hasan Sohan and Naeem Hasan, Mahmudullah Riyad.
BFF media chief Amit's body reaches Dhaka
Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Head of Media Ahsan Ahmed Amit's body reached his Gopibagh residence in Dhaka Sunday night from India's New Delhi through Benapole border.
Amit's father, Bangladesh Table Tennis Federation Vice-President Khondakar Hasan Munir, BFF Grassroots Manager M Hasan Mahmud, and two others brought the body home in the afternoon.
The first namaz-e -janaza of Amit will be held at 10am on Monday at Bismillah Masjid in Gopibagh's RK Mission Road.
Also read: BFF media chief Amit no more
Amit's second janaza will be held at his beloved Bangabandhu National Stadium at 11am and he will be laid to rest at the Azimpur graveyard at around 12:30pm.
The BFF media chief passed away on June 30 while undergoing treatment in New Delhi.
Amit, also a good sports organiser and an executive committee member of the Bangladesh Table Tennis Federation, was admitted to a Delhi hospital with kidney complexities.
The 43-year-old had a successful kidney transplantation on June 22. He was waiting to return home but died of a brain haemorrhage Wednesday.
NSC to introduce Sheikh Kamal National Sports Council Award this year
The National Sports Council (NSC) will introduce the annual Sheikh Kamal National Sports Council Award this year.
A maximum of eleven awards will be distributed every year in different categories. Eleven awards in seven categories will be given in the inaugural year, said the NSC.
The awards will be handed over on August 5 on the occasion of the birthday of Sheikh Kamal at a function at the Sheikh Kamal auditorium of NSC Tower in the capital.
Also read: Handball Federation honour six persons with MA Hamid Awards
Seven categories of awards for the inaugural year are lifetime achievement (one), sportsman (three), sports organiser (two) emerging sportsman (two), federation/association/sangstha (one), sports journalist (one) and patron (one).
Each awardee will get Tk75,000, a crest and a certificate.
Argentina beats Ecuador at Copa, plays Colombia in semifinal
Lionel Messi scored his 76th international goal and is now only one shy of Pele for the South American record as Argentina beat Ecuador 3-0 on Saturday to progress to the semifinals of the Copa America.
Messi scored from a late freekick and earlier laid on two assists as Argentina eventually subdued Ecuador and kept the superstar’s dream of winning his first major international title alive.
Argentina’s rival at the Mané Garrincha Stadium on Tuesday will be Colombia, which earlier overcame Uruguay on penalties. The other semifinal will feature defending champions Brazil and Peru.
Rodrigo de Paul opened the scoring at the Olimpico Stadium in Goiania in the 39th minute, tapping into an empty goal before Lautaro Martinez added the second in the 84th with a blast from close range. Messi, in his first match since his contract with Barcelona expired, assisted both of them.
Also read: Brazil beats Chile at Copa America despite 2nd-half red card
In the dying moments of the match Messi scored Argentina’s third from a free kick from the edge of the box. It was his fourth goal in the tournament.
Heavily favored Argentina wasted several opportunities at 1-0 to cruise to a comfortable victory. Ecuador then hit the post in the second half before Martinez doubled Argentina’s lead. But Messi became more influential after 71 minutes when Ángel di Maria stepped in replacing Giovani lo Celso.
Ecuador also lost defender Piero Hincapié to a red card near the end of the match after a foul on Di Maria that gave Argentina the free kick scored by Messi.
It was his 76th goal in his 149th match for Argentina, one short of Pelé’s record as top goal scorer of a South American national team. It was also his 58th career goal on a free kick for club and country, moving one ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Also read: Messi breaks Argentina’s record for caps at Copa America win
Messi said being in the semifinals was one of Argentina’s objectives for the tournament.
“Now we have to rest and think of Colombia. They defend well, they have quick counters,” the striker said. Asked about his performance, he was brief: “Individual awards are secondary.”
Martinez seems to have understood the message.
“We all follow Messi’s leadership. Today we saw once again how he sets the difference, we are all following him,” he said. “We saw an Argentina as a protagonist. Today we made the difference. It was a demanding match.”