“There are no excuses”- Lionel Messi reacts after Argentina’s shameful defeat against Saudi Arabia in the 2022 FIFA World Cup opener
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Lionel Messi
Argentina entered the 2022 Qatar World Cup as a favorite to win the championship but after their disappointing loss to Saudi Arabia many have written off the Copa American champions. The team had an abysmal outing in the Group C opening match. The world-class Argentine lineup underestimated their rivals and paid the price for it. The tactical master class from Saudi coach Hervé Renard gave the team the most decorated win in Saudi footballing history.
The game began with Argentina’s dominance on the ball. They got the breakthrough in the 10th minute after their star man Lionel Messi converted a penalty won by Leanardo Paredes. The South American giants were tipped to earn a comfortable they continued to test the Saudi back four. But they held their high defensive line and were successful in stopping Argentine attacks with Offside traps.
In the second half KSA number 11, Saleh Al-Shehri, and Salem Al-Dawsari scored the goals of their carers to earn the lead. The Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais stood like a rock in front of his goal denying Messin and co any chance to get back in the game. Al-Owais earned the man of the match award with his exceptional performance.
Argentine captain Lionel Messi was more than just disappointed with the loss. He wants the La Albiceleste to be more united after the loss, as the time demands the squad to prove that they are a team. He said, “There are no excuses. We have to be more united than ever. This group is strong and has shown it. It’s a situation we haven’t gone through in a long time. Now we have to show that this is a real group.”
Lionel Messi’s performance against Saudi Arabia
Messi has joined an elite group of players who have scored in four different FIFA World Cup campaigns with his penalty goal against Saudi Arabia. The list includes Pele, Uwe Seeler, Miroslav Klose, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Unfortunately, that was the only major contribution the little magician had to offer for the white and blues.
He had a lackluster performance though the game as he struggled to deliver the piece of magic Argentina craved. The lack of pressing on the ball from Messi also didn’t help as the Copa America winners failed to produce dangerous counter-attacks against the high Saudi defensive line.
The defeat has put a lot of pressure on the PSG man ad his compatriots. The South Americans can’t afford to take any of their upcoming games lightly as they got no choice but to win them to progress. Argentina can have a positive outlook on the result as though It may come as a surprise that the last time La Albiceleste lost their first match in a world cup they reached the finals. They lose to Cameroon in their 1990 World cup opening game.
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