Funes Mori plays in vital Argentina win

, 24 March, 22comments | Jump to most recent

MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP/Getty Images

Ramiro Funes Mori played for Argentina as they beat Chile on their own turf in World Cup qualifying this evening.

La Albiceleste had made a poor start in their bid to qualify for the 2018 Finals in Russia prior to today, taking just five points from their first games and needed a big performance against last year's Copa America winners.

The Everton defender featured for the full 90 minutes as the Argentines came back from going a goal down after 11 minutes to win 2-1 in Santiago.

Paris St Germain winger Angel di Maria equalised in the 20th minute and Gabriel Mercado fired what would prove to be the winner five minutes later.

Reader Comments (22)

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Brian Porter
2 Posted 25/03/2016 at 06:16:06

Well done Ramiro. Just watched highlights of the game. This was a real full-blooded, very serious World Cup Qualifier between two excellent teams. Funes Mori was excellent in defence for Argentina and he was up against a top class Chilean attack.

He showed his class when played as part of a well drilled, professionally coached defensive system and if anything the game went a long way to showing up some of Martinez's failings. When you think how much time he has to prepare his defence compared with Argentina's international coach, and for Funes Mori to look so good for Argentina, speaks volumes to me of our manager's unsuitability to manage at the highest level.

Once again, well done Funes Mori.

Phil Walling
4 Posted 25/03/2016 at 08:25:59

Is this the Funes Mori who is likely to be dropped for Everton's next game to accommodate England's John Stones?

Mark Gardiner
5 Posted 25/03/2016 at 09:26:14

Funes Mori is a perfect example of how dreadful Martinez is. When he arrived at the club he came with the label of a no-nonsense tough-tackling defender.

He started out playing like that for us and was very impressive despite having little Premier League experience.

As the season has progressed, you can see the effects of Martinez's philosophy on defending because Funes Mori has become less of that tough tackling defender and has started to try and play the ball more rather than focus on defending first.

Martinez is coaching all of the defensive skills out of our defenders and trying to turn them into ball players. Funes Mori is going backwards defensively as has John Stones.

Tony Hill
6 Posted 25/03/2016 at 09:31:52

This man will be a mainstay for us if he's correctly handled. There are a few hovering rumours about him being targeted by others in the summer. I expect him to stay and, as with Besic, I think he is a major asset, recent events notwithstanding.

Dave Abrahams
7 Posted 25/03/2016 at 09:32:15

Mark (5) thanks for that, I was going to post exactly the same thing. Martinez and his coaches are not helping a few of the players in the squad, they are stagnating or going backwards.

Peter Murray
8 Posted 25/03/2016 at 09:57:44

Everything, even the success of an Everton player at international level, is twisted into an anti-Martinez jibe. Funes Mori is a better player now than when he first arrived.

That is down to regular games in the Premier League and successful work by Martinez and his coaching staff.

Funes Mori is not playing with confidence for his country IN SPITE of Martinez but BECAUSE of him.

Denis Richardson
9 Posted 25/03/2016 at 12:15:21

Didn't see the game but interesting comments. Given the number of players we have who are internationals, I wonder what they really think of Martinez's methods.

If Funes Mori is regularly playing well for Argentina but also regularly playing for an Everton side with a defence like a sieve, it's not rocket science to think he won't hang around long.

Gerry Quinn
10 Posted 25/03/2016 at 13:07:03

...and still not one hair out of place on his bonce - he must rub in superglue!

Phill Thompson
11 Posted 25/03/2016 at 13:57:02

It's Brylcreem on his hair mate, it's making a comeback.

Good to see Ramiro cementing his place in the Argentina back line, great for his confidence.

Minik Hansen
12 Posted 25/03/2016 at 14:02:19

Important for Funes Mori, it only helps his confidence, I'm glad for him.

Jim Hardin
14 Posted 25/03/2016 at 16:56:08

Excellent performance by Funes Mori. Defended well in the air and anticipated and cleaned up messes left by other defenders. Also involved in the first goal. For those not thinking he can pass or that he is not able to take the ball forward, watch the entire game, not just the highlights.

Peter, I don't think so regarding Martinez. Funes Mori already knew how to defend properly before he got to Everton, thanks to his time at FC Dallas, and River Plate. Watching him for Everton, it appears he has regressed. Then, thankfully, he gets to go train with a good manager and coaches and regains his form before coming back to Everton. Watch over the next few games for Everton and see, it will be obvious.

Heck, even Jags and Stones will look better for a while after training with someone else.

Paul Holmes
15 Posted 25/03/2016 at 17:12:51

I did not see the game but did Chile throw high balls into the Argentine box, like West Ham did in the last 12 minutes and scored 3 goals (2 headers).

Maybe Funes Mori is a good technical player for his country, but as a no-nonsense centre-back for Everton in the Premier League, looking at all the goals we keep letting in, the jury is still out.

David Pearl
17 Posted 25/03/2016 at 18:16:25

I'm sure there is nothing wrong with Martinez's methods â€“ just the players are not good enough for the system.

Kim Vivian
18 Posted 25/03/2016 at 19:15:12

Bloody hell, David – sticking your head above the parapet aren't you?

If I'm reading it right, that comment is mind-boggling in its absurdity.

Brian Porter
19 Posted 25/03/2016 at 19:36:25

Well said, Jim (#14). That was my point #1 in the first place. Funes Mori, as you rightly say, was already an accomplished defender and an international before we bought him and when he plays for his country he looks so much better than when he tries to play to Martinez's failed system. For anyone to say Martinez is responsible for making him a better defender is totally ludicrous.

As with John Stones, Martinez is ruining a very good defender by trying to turn him into something he isn't and never will be. With Argentina, he trains and is coached to play as he should be, hence they get the best from him.

Colin Glassar
20 Posted 25/03/2016 at 19:45:09

Harry Kane also uses Brylcreem, just saying.

Peter Murray
21 Posted 25/03/2016 at 20:15:36

#14, Jim Hardin,

Cheap shot, Jim. The coaching at FC Dallas and even River Plate is no guarantee for success in the Premier League. It was his coaching at Everton which has made him better at dealing with all types of football.

How has he "regressed"? He has gone from a type of player chosen for friendly internationals to what looks like a mainstream ever-present. And that wasn't down to FC Dallas or River Plate.

Don Alexander
22 Posted 25/03/2016 at 22:31:50

Pete Murray, mate, you're a "nicey" alright, a "pearler" in fact. No offence (genuinely) but the eyes in most of our heads see something you two don't.

Winston Williamson
24 Posted 25/03/2016 at 22:41:00

Martinez lauded for the defensive development of his players? That's not funny, it's criminal...

Martinez is a disaster of a manager for any defender... he'd of made Puyol, Bobby Moore and Tony Adams look average!

Any improvement Funes Mori has made must surely be down to the higher quality of players he now plays against every week??

Anthony Dwyer
25 Posted 25/03/2016 at 23:15:21

Wow, we have two England internationals and an Argentine, all at centre-half, yet we had a better defensive record when we had Richard Gough, Alan Stubbs and David Weir.

Says a lot!

Jim Hardin
26 Posted 26/03/2016 at 01:49:51

Peter, Maybe the coaching at either place isn't a guarantee of success although River Plate has a number of alumni in good teams in good leagues. However, I can guarantee you that the coaching at Wigan is not a guarantee for success in the Premier League either, or else they would have stayed up. Who was it that led them?

As for Funes Mori, watch his last three games for Everton and watch the entire game versus Chile. If you can't see what I am talking about, I can refer you to a good ophthalmologist.

Tony Abrahams
27 Posted 26/03/2016 at 08:43:50

Have to agree with Jim, the lack of leadership and organisation in our team is very worrying. If a team can't defend crosses, why can't they stop them? I have never saw a fullback more exposed than Everton's left back. A wingback, in a flat back four?

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