Messi Speaks After Saudi Defeat : Lionel Messi has asked Argentina fans to trust he and his teammates following their shocking 2-1 defeat against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday morning in their 2022 FIFA World Cup Group C opener.
The captain of La Albiceleste put the two-time world cup winners ahead in the 10th minute from the spot at the Lusail Iconic stadium but the Saudis staged a great comeback in the second half scoring two quick-fire goals in the 48th and 53rd minutes to win the game 2-1.
“There are no excuses. We are going to be more united than ever,’ the Argentina skipper said after the match.
‘This team is strong and we have shown it in the past.
We did not expect to start in this way, but things happen for a reason. Now we have to win, it depends on us. I ask the fans to trust us. This group will not let them down.’ the PSG attacker added.
On his part head coach Lionel Scaloni said :
‘It’s difficult to understand because in four or five minutes they score two goals from their only shots on goal,’ said the Argentine coach at his post-match press conference.
‘There’s no other choice but to pick ourselves up. We have to win our next two games, we don’t have to analyse any more than that. Today is a sad day, but we keep our head up and keep going.’
Scaloni continued:
‘We already knew how they played and in fact we were preparing the game in the week to face a high defensive line. The offsides were a few millimetres.
‘I think the first half was all us and those offsides could have been goals on another occasion. At half-time we said the game was strange and that a goal could change anything, and that’s what happened.
‘We will analyse the match much more calmly later. I have not spoken with the players yet because they are hurt and still thinking about the defeat. Now it’s about winning the next two games and that’s what we’ll try to do.’
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