After playing a key role in his team`s 3-0 victory over Croatia on Tuesday, Lionel Messi extolled the virtues of his team and praised their perseverance. Argentina easily advanced to Sunday`s final, where they will take on either France or Morocco, thanks to goals from Julian Alvarez and goals from Lionel Messi at Lusail Stadium. Messi scored the game`s first goal from the penalty spot.
Lionel Scaloni`s team maintained their incredible comeback with the victory after beginning their campaign in Qatar with a shocking 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia. Messi, who was awarded man of the match, told reporters, "I think the first match was a very painful blow for us because we had been 36 games unbeaten." "For this set of players, getting off to that kind of a start when nobody expected us to lose was a tremendous test. But we have already shown our strength.
"Every game has been a final since then, so what we`ve done has been incredibly challenging. " Let`s hope we win the upcoming final, since we have played in five finals and won them all. "This group has tremendous character strength and intelligence," Messi continued. We have a team that can read games and knows how to suffer when it is necessary. Our coaching staff is excellent and takes no chances. That is beneficial since it ensures us always know what to do. The 35-year-old captain of Argentina is currently tied for the tournament`s leading scorer with five goals as he strives to win the World Cup for the first time in his illustrious career.
With the goal he scored to start the scoring against Croatia, he tied Gabriel Batistuta`s Argentine record for most World Cup goals. "I am having a great time. Fortunately, I feel strong and ready for every game "said he. "Today we were exhausted and the last game went into extra time, yet we seem to find strength where there is none."
JH
