Nico Paz, Scaloni's Argentina pick, off the mark with a stunner | OneFootball

Nicolás Paz took the field as a starter in the friendly match that Argentina beat Mauritania 2-1 and delivered: he scored a stunning free-kick goal to extend La Albiceleste’s lead in the game played at La Bombonera. In doing so, the 21-year-old, who played only the first 45 minutes, netted his first goal for the senior national team.

The Tenerife-born player, son of Pablo Paz, another former national team player, started due to Lionel Scaloni’s decision to rest Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, and Leandro Paredes, among others. And in the 31st minute of the first half, he shone when he took charge of a set piece.

The Serie A midfielder struck it over the wall, and the ball went right through the gap left by Cristian Romero and Nicolás González, who stood beside the Mauritanian players, before nestling low inside the left post past goalkeeper Mamadou Diop, who could not get a hand to it.

That way, the Real Madrid academy product, who had already played four World Cup qualifiers and two friendlies, got his first goal and continues to build a strong case for Scaloni to include him in the final list of 26 players he will take to the World Cup. His first appearance for La Albiceleste had been in October against Bolivia, when he provided an assist, thanks to the outstanding form he showed with the Italian club, where he is now one of the main stars.

After the match, the left-footed player spoke to the press on the pitch and reflected on his performance. “Mauritania is a team that was very well organized, they did their job very well and gave us a good game,” he said.

He also referred to his first goal: “A goal is something you never forget. I’ve dreamed of it my whole life and it happened today. I’ve always watched Messi’s goals, matching him is difficult, but I’m very happy to have been able to score.”

Finally, regarding expectations for the World Cup, he concluded: “I’m not thinking about the World Cup, only about working every day and, if they believe I’m ready, I’m available.”

Before Nico Paz’s goal, the man who opened the scoring was Enzo Fernández after a move involving Thiago Almada and Nahuel Molina, who burst down the right and sent in a low cross so that, in the 16th minute, the Chelsea midfielder could slot it into the back of the net.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.