Argentina is going strong at the 2022 Qatar World Cup and has marched into the quarter-finals of the competition. Despite suffering a shocking loss to Saudi Arabia in their opening game, the Albecieste is now looking like one of the genuine favorites to win the competition and help Lionel Messi win the one competition that has evaded him all throughout his iconic career. During their impressive campaign, Argentina has given the platform for some bright emerging players. One of those is forward and one of the world’s emerging players, Julian Alvarez.
World Cup Emerging Players: Julian Alvarez
Emerging Players: Julian Alavarez’s Career Before the World Cup
https://twitter.com/HaaIandEra/status/1547146729648140289
Hailing from Calvin, Argentina – Julian Alvarez started his professional career with Argentine giants River Plate. He made major strides with them, producing some impressive finishing ability and becoming a force to be reckoned with for them. He made 96 appearances for them, scoring 36 goals for them which helped earn the attention of some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Read More: Analyzing Qatar World Cup Emerging Players Featuring Sergino Dest
The 22-year-old forward won the Argentina Primera Division as well as the Copa Libertadores with them before leaving River Plate. He was signed by Premier League giants Manchester City at the end of January 2022 – but was only able to join them after the 2022/23 season was over. He’s made 20 appearances for the English side so far this season, scoring 7 goals in 20 appearances.
Alvarez’s World Cup heroics
After having scored three goals in 12 appearances for the Argentine national team, Alvarez was picked in the 26-man squad by Lionel Scaloni for their World Cup squad. Of course, the 22-year-old was never expected to be a starting player for his side and more of an understudy to their regular no.9, Lautaro Martinez.
In the opening game against Saudi Arabia, Alvarez started from the bench. He only came in the last few minutes and was unable to help his side salvage any kind of a positive result from it. In the second game against Mexico, the 22-year-old got a little bit more playing time – replacing Martinez in the 63rd minute and putting in a hard-working display to help his side see out a 2-0 win.
Lionel Scaloni had seen enough and decided to make the bold choice of starting Alvarez ahead of the experienced Inter Milan striker in the final game against Poland. This was one that Argentina had to win to secure qualification into the knockout rounds. Alvarez took his opportunity with both hands, scoring an exquisite goal in the second half to another 2-0 win. Not just that, but he also had six shot attempts out of which three were on target and troubled Wojciech Szczesny as well.
Read More: Last Word SC Radio Features USMNT-Netherlands Review, USA Big Picture Analysis
The performance was good enough to warrant him another start in the Round of 16 game against Australia. Despite having a quiet first half in which he was not really able to get involved in anything prolific, Alvarez showcased his deft finishing instincts by scoring a pure striker’s goal, capitalizing on a defensive error, and slotting the ball into the back of the net to double his side’s lead.
Julian Alvarez’s Strengths
The Argentinan forward hasn’t tried to be too flashy or over-the-top with his performances. He’s kept it simple by trying to link up well, often dropping deep and into wide areas to help drag opposition defenders out of position. But it’s his special finishing and ability to manipulate tight spaces that have helped him stand out and snatch Martinez’s position away from him midway through the competition.
Alvarez has now proven that he really is a top-quality striker and validated the gamble taken on him by Manchester City as well as Scaloni. Knowing his positive energy levels during the game and clinical nature in the final third, the 22-year-old looks bound to keep a hold on the no.9 position in the Argentine team for years to come and be a potential successor to Sergio Aguero.
