Argentina advanced to the knockout stages of the World Cup last night with a 2-0 win over Poland – and Marcos Acuna caught the eye following transfer links to Wolves.
Lionel Scaloni’s side progressed as group winners, thanks to goals from Premier League players Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez.
It was a very comfortable evening in the end for Argentina.
Poland showed absolutely no intent to try and win the game, and were lucky that Mexico could not find a third goal against Saudi Arabia.
El Tri were 2-0 up as Poland were 2-0 down and one more goal for either Argentina or Mexico would have seen them go out.
Argentina had made a few changes to the side that beat Mexico in the previous game, but one man who kept his place in the starting XI was Marcos Acuna.
Acuna played at left-back again, and nay Wolves fans not tuned into the Mexico game may have been looking out for him especially.
That’s because Acuna emerged as a potential transfer target for Wolves earlier this week.
Supposedly, new Molineux head coach Julen Lopetegui may look to reunite with the Sevilla star (Vamos Mi Sevilla FC).
Acuna got 58 minutes last night, and gave a pretty good account of himself in an attacking sense.
Poland didn’t offer much of a threat, leaving him free to surge forwards at will in the first-half.
He was effectively operating as a left winger, and put in several crosses. He also came very close to scoring his first international goal as his right-footed effort whistled past the far post.
He did pick up a yellow card early in the second-half, which is perhaps the reason Scaloni decided to withdraw him not long after and replace him with Nicolas Tagliafico.
Marcos Acuna gave a good impression for Argentina, following Wolves transfer links
Acuna was a real outlet last night for Argentina.
He looks to be a very attack-minded player whose first thought is to try and be direct.
He didn’t have much defending to do because of the how the two game plan’s came to fruition. But Acuna certainly gave a positive impression in terms of supporting in the final third.
Wolves are supposedly keen on the star, and Sevilla value their man at at least £10 million.
It remains to be seen whether Lopetegui will request for him to be signed in January.