Despite the missed win it is again Aronian who calls the shots. The queen and the knight are  fearsome attacking couple and if a single pawn comes to help them  Vachier-Lagrave's defense will collapse. Plus, Black can practically  always force perpetual check. This false sense of invincibility perhaps  played a decisive role in Aronian's subsequent play.
1. e2e4  1... e7e5  2. g1f3  2... b8c6  3. f1c4 Two years back Lady Luck versed the two great  players and friends in a battle not only for the World Cup final, but for  the Candidates' spot as well. Back then Aronian won a tense armageddon  game which he could have easily lost. 3... g8f6  4. d2d3  4... f8c5  5. c2c3  5... a7a6  6. e1g1  6... d7d6  7. a2a4  7... e8g8  8. f1e1  8... c5a7  9. h2h3  9... h7h6  10. b1d2  10... f8e8  11. b2b4  11... c8e6  12. c4e6  12... e8e6  13. d2f1  13... d8d7  14. c1e3  14... a7e3  15. f1e3  15... d6d5  16. b4b5  16... c6e7  17. c3c4  17... d5d4 Closing the center seems like the better choice here for Black. He gains an important outpost for his knight on c5 from where it will have good access both to the d3 and a4 pawns. 18. e3f5  18... a8e8 Prepares the capture on f5. 19. f3h4  19... e7g6 Getting more breathing room for his pieces. 20. g2g3  20... g6h4  21. f5h4  21... d7e7 Now the queen looks towards the opposite wing. 22. d1c1  22... f6d7  23. c1a3  23... d7c5 Aronian decided to keep the queens on the  board. 24. f2f4 An obvious idea, but it has a hidden flaw. 24... e5f4  25. h4f5  25... e7f8  26. g3f4 Everything seems fine for  Vachier-Lagrave. He is ready to transfer some major pieces along the  g-file. However 26... e6f6 The threat is g7-g6. 27. e1f1  27... f6f5  Brilliant! This move refutes White's idea. His kingside is left in ruins,  the open e-file is in Aronian's hands from where he can bring his pieces  quickly in striking distance from the white king. The knight is also close enough, whereas Vachier-Lagrave's queen is way too far. 28. e4f5  28... e8e3  29. a1e1  29... f8e7  30. e1e3 Vachier-Lagrave came one step closer to the abyss. 30... e7e3  31. g1h2  31... e3e2 Obvious, but not optimal. 32. h2g1  32... c5d3  33. b5a6  33... b7a6  34. a3b3  34... e2e3  35. g1h2  35... e3d2 