Five games into this summer’s Copa America, no player has completed more key passes than Newcastle United star Miguel Almiron (5).
The likes of Messi, Coutinho, James Rodriguez and Suarez have already played their opening game, with Argentina losing to Colombia, Brazil easing past Bolivia and Urguray smashing four past Ecuador, but no player managed to produce more key passes than Almiron did during Paraguay’s 2-2 draw with Qatar last night.
As the stats show below, even Barcelona’s £142m man Philippe Coutinho didn’t manage more key passes than Almiron – despite them hammering Bolivia 3-0 with 74% possession:
Unfortunately, Paraguay surrendered a 2-0 lead and came away with a 2-2 draw against Qatar last night, however Almiron put in a dazzling display.
His corner lead to an early penalty for Paraguay, a first-half pass of his is being described as the ‘pass of the tournament so far’ (see it below!) and he did brilliantly to set up what turned out to be a disallowed goal for Oscar Cardozo, with him being at the centre of everything his country did well last night.
He left the field in tears last night, being devastated to see his country throw away a 2-0 lead in a game they should’ve won comfortably, however it’s brilliant to see the 25-year-old in superb form following his return from injury.
Off-field matters may be taking over this summer, but I for one have a feeling he’s going to light up St James’ Park next season.
