Lionel Messi stated the shock defeat to Saudi Arabia impressed Argentina’s resurgence within the FIFA World Cup 2022. Argentina, in its opening sport on this World Cup, was shocked by Herve Renard’s Saudi Arabia 1-2 to the astonishment of an amazing staff that will, over a month, reorganise and fine-tune its sport to achieve the ultimate, with a scientific 3-0 win over Croatia within the semifinal.
“I would say that the first match was a hard blow for all of us because we had been unbeaten in 36 matches,” stated the 35-year-old striker.
But Messi stated Argentina, as a staff, was assured of constructing the ultimate even after that heart-breaking defeat.
“Internally we were confident that we would make it because we know what we are capable of as a squad. We lost in the first match due to fine details but it helped us to be stronger,” he added.
The sudden defeat alerted the squad, and it proved how sturdy it was in Argentina’s subsequent matches. Since that match, Argentina beat Poland, Mexico within the group stage, Australia, the Netherlands and Croatia within the knockouts to every its second remaining in eight years.
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“To start in such a way in a World Cup was a blow, we did not think we would lose to Saudi Arabia. It was an acid test for this whole squad but this squad proved how strong we are,” added Messi earlier than mentioning, “This is a mental load because we knew things would be more complicated for us. We managed to win five finals and I hope it will be this way for the final game.”
Argentina, on Tuesday, beat Croatia 3-0, with Messi scoring a penalty and arising with two assists to assist Julian Alvarez rating a brace. Argentina will face the winner of the France-Morocco semifinal within the remaining on December 18.