Argentina forward, Lionel Messi has fumed bitterly over the team’s 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in Tuesday’s 2022 World Cup clash.
Recall that Messi gave Argentina a 10th-minute lead from the penalty spot but second-half goals from Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari helped the Saudis pull off one of the greatest shocks in World Cup history.
Reacting to the defeat, Messi stated that it’s a big blow for the team but that the players were determined to put things right for the next game.
“It’s a very heavy blow, a defeat that hurts, but we must continue to have confidence in ourselves,” Messi said after Argentina crashed to a stunning 2-1 loss in Group C.
“This group is not going to give up. We will try to beat Mexico,” he added.
“We know that Saudi Arabia is a team with good players, who move the ball around well and play a high line,” said Messi.
“We worked on that but we rushed it a bit. At 2-1 we got disorganised, we lost our performance level and started desperately putting the ball into the middle.”
“There are no excuses, we’re going to be more united than ever before,” he said.
“This group is strong and has shown it before. We had not been in this situation for a long time. Now we must show that this is a true group.”
The Albiceleste have two Group C games remaining — against Mexico on Saturday and then Poland the following Wednesday — to try to salvage their hopes of claiming a third world title.
“This is the time to stick together, to turn the page and not think about what happened,” said Messi.
“We always said we were going to (try to) win every game and now more than ever.”
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COMMENTS
Oga Messi, you now know how it hurts to lose. You did it twice to Nigeria. Mexico will thrash you, ending your arrogant dream this year.
Lol KangA, Messi don show Naija pepper. Or rather, Messi don show NFF pepper.
But I think the Saudis won the lottery today. Renard is a good coach, and the Saudi players did very well.
But this result flatters Renard and his boys tremendously.
It is noteworthy that Argentina was dominant on the day, with a whopping 70% of possession, and they had the ball in the Saudi net 4 times. Unfortunately for Messi and company, all the goals were disallowed for being marginally offside. Very close calls.
If things had gone Argentina’s way, Saudi could have been SHISH-KEBABED today. The score could easily have been 5-2, or even more in Argentina’s favour.
With this defeat, Argentina is now like a wounded lion. Mexico and Poland, watch out!
I think it will be a rush to judgment to count Argentina out as a world cup contender. They are not done yet.
They’ve been here before. In 1990, they lost to rank outsiders Cameroon in their opening game, and fought back, eventually making it to the final, before succumbing to Germany.
They are down, but definitely not out.
My friend Pompei, when am talking major of us here doesn’t understand my audiology.
As we can see now, Nigeria did not have a good coach over seven years.
Those people in NFF are not the right people to be there and Nigeria can never get it right except we put the right people in charge of everything in Nigeria and we all have to respect power of law and be transparent.
Am I communicating Mr. Pompei?
I am very happy for Saudi Arabian team. They did well. Did you see a fabulous job of their goalie?
Can you tell me why Oga Rohr failed to discover a good keeper for his entire duration with the Super Eagles and unable to build a strong team?
We have to be honest with ourselves kę. Oga Pompei, are you seeing what I’m seeing? Do you think the current coach have what it takes to deliver? I mean Oga Paseiro?
Why Renard has refused to coach Super Eagles? If you know you know.
Mr. Pompei, if care is not taken, Super Eagles may not be well respected in Africa and outside Africa. Congratulations to Saudi and coach Renard. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!