Manchester United new-boy Gabriel Heinze collected the Olympic gold medal he
craved as Argentina overcame nine-man Paraguay to claim the title.
Heinze's presence in Athens has been a severe irritation to Red Devils boss
Sir Alex Ferguson, who has not even seen the defender train since his
£6.9million summer signing from Paris St Germain.
The 26-year-old has shrugged off the unspoken threat to his fledgling Old
Trafford career, insisting victory at the Olympics was an honour worth fighting
for.
And, in front of 41,116 on a scorching morning in Athens, Heinze got his
reward.
If he was watching at home on TV, Ferguson will have seen Heinze turn in
another assured performance in a defence which did not concede a single goal in
their six-match triumphant run.
Assured and composed on the ball, eager to push forward and solid in defence,
the acquisition of Heinze appears to be an astute one, although - after the Copa
America and Olympics - he is now required for World Cup duty before making
himself available for United's visit to Bolton on September 11.
While Argentina's presence in the final was somewhat predictable given their
squad contained the likes of Heinze, Roberto Ayala and Kily Gonzalez, Paraguay's
appearance was far more of a surprise.
It soon became apparent that the underdogs' plan was one of containment and
they certainly were not afraid to deploy a bit of rough stuff if it meant
subduing an Argentine attack marshalled by the brilliant Carlos Tevez.
Given they share similar height and build and also wear the same shirt,
comparisons between Tevez and Maradona are obvious, if slightly unfair.
But there is no doubt Tevez has immense talent and at just 20, seems certain
to be following the well-worn path from Boca Juniors to Europe in the very near
future.
Apart from the impressive scoring instinct that saw him nip in front of
Paraguay keeper Diego Barreto at the near post to net the 18th-minute winner -
his eighth goal of the tournament - Tevez also has a priceless ability to find
space around the penalty area and his efforts should really have brought more
reward.
That they did not owed much to obdurate Paraguay defending. The South
Americans kept battling away, even after full-back Emilio Martinez had been sent
off midway through the second-half for a disgraceful off-the-ball elbow on
Andres Allesandro.
They may have even snatched an equaliser had Diego Figueredo been more
accurate with a 12-yard snap shot that fizzed just wide.
However, when the striker, one of five members of his team to have already
been booked, attempted to turn home a deep cross with his hand seven minutes
from time, a second Paraguay red card was automatic and with it went any hope of
victory.
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