On This Day – June 24: Messi’s Birthday, World Cup Drama, and Football History

Historic Football Events on June 24

1982 – France Defeats Austria in World Cup Second Round In a tight contest at the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain, France edged Austria 1-0 thanks to a goal by Bernard Genghini. The win helped Les Bleus progress toward a dramatic semi-final against West Germany.
1998 – Argentina and England Set Up Round of 16 Clash Argentina drew 1-1 with Croatia to top their group, while England defeated Colombia 2-0 to qualify. The results confirmed a mouthwatering Round of 16 showdown between two long-standing rivals.
2006 – Brazil Advances, Ronaldo Equals World Cup Record Brazil defeated Japan 4-1 in the final group match of the 2006 World Cup. Ronaldo scored twice, tying Gerd Müller’s record of 14 World Cup goals at the time, marking his return to form after earlier criticism.
2010 – Italy Knocked Out of World Cup at Group Stage In a shocking result, reigning champions Italy were eliminated after a 3-2 loss to Slovakia in their final group match. It was their earliest World Cup exit since 1974.
2014 – Uruguay Qualifies Amid Suárez Controversy Uruguay beat Italy 1-0 in their final group match at the 2014 World Cup. Diego Godín scored the winner, but the match was overshadowed by Luis Suárez’s biting incident involving Giorgio Chiellini.
2018 – Argentina Survives with Messi Magic Lionel Messi scored a sublime opening goal and Marcos Rojo netted a dramatic late winner as Argentina defeated Nigeria 2-1 to qualify for the Round of 16 at the 2018 World Cup.

Lionel Messi (1987) – Widely regarded as the greatest of all time, Messi has won the Ballon d’Or multiple times, lifted the Copa América and the 2022 World Cup, and defined an era of football brilliance.
Juan Román Riquelme (1978) – Argentine playmaker known for his creativity, vision, and influence at Boca Juniors and Villarreal.
Shunsuke Nakamura (1978) – Japanese free-kick specialist and former Celtic fan favorite, known for his left-footed magic.
Sol Campbell (1974) – England center-back who played for Tottenham, Arsenal, and Portsmouth, winning Premier League and FA Cup titles.
Bryan Ruiz (1985) – Costa Rican forward and national team captain, pivotal in their 2014 World Cup run.
Ianis Hagi (1998) – Romanian attacking midfielder and son of legend Gheorghe Hagi, currently making his mark in European football.
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (1995) – Danish international midfielder known for his leadership and consistency in the Premier League.

Messi’s World Cup Lifeline (2018): Under immense pressure, Lionel Messi delivered when it mattered most—scoring a brilliant first-half goal and inspiring Argentina past Nigeria. The win sparked wild celebrations and prolonged their World Cup hopes.
Italy’s Fall from Glory (2010): Just four years after lifting the trophy, Italy crashed out at the group stage in South Africa. Slovakia’s fearless performance and Italy’s stagnation marked a dramatic fall for the Azzurri.
Ronaldo’s Redemption (2006): Often criticized for his weight and fitness, Ronaldo silenced critics with a brace against Japan—proving that he was still a world-class striker and tying the all-time World Cup scoring record.

Who scored the dramatic winning goal for Argentina against Nigeria in the 2018 World Cup group stage?

Answer: Marcos Rojo.

“You have to fight to reach your dream. You have to sacrifice and work hard for it.” — Lionel Messi