On the spot: Lionel Messi netted an 89th-minute penalty for Argentina

It was Messi who probably had more of an influence on an encounter that was never friendly. Not nasty, just competitive.

It was a privilege to watch the 18th-minute goal, scored by Angel di Maria. The record books will show that the Real Madrid man applied the finishing touch. But the goal, really, was Messi's.

He collected a ball coming over his shoulder on the full with that magical left foot. It did not seem to bounce off the shoelace, so delicate was the touch. He escaped one lunge, then another by Raul Meireles and slipped the ball inside the Portugal right back for the midfielder to find the net, the pass sitting up delightfully for him to sidefoot home.

As if stung by that, Ronaldo, who had probed and prodded on either flank to no great success, suddenly awoke.

At this point it is perhaps wise to point out that there are others in the Portugal side who think themselves worthy of being in Ronaldo's company. Nani, for instance.

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