Messi: Defeat to Saudi Arabia helped Argentina come out stronger in Qatar 2022

Argentina suffered a shock defeat to Saudi Arabia opening its campaign in the Qatar World Cup. But Messi said Argentina, as a team, was confident of making the final even after that heart-breaking defeat.

Argentina striker Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his team’s first goal from the penalty spot during the FIFA World Cup 2022 semifinal against Croatia at Lusail Stadium, Qatar, on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: AFP

For 20 minutes in the semifinal against Croatia at the self-proclaimed ‘iconic’ Lusail Stadium, Argentina was outthought and outrun by the hardworking opponent. But then, Lionel Messi held this match by the scruff of its neck to show the world again that he can write his own destiny.  

“We’ve played with discipline today. We knew the game would be set up this way. We’ve done a great job. We were aware they’d keep possession of the ball, as they have key players in that sense, making us run,” the Argentina captain said in his post-match press conference.

“But despite that, we created our usual chances, the game also got out of hand quickly. We prepared for this game in the best way. We knew the game would have the shape it had. That’s why we didn’t feel desperate when we had to run, or when they ran from one flank to another. We knew that was their strength: keeping possession of the ball. But we also knew we could make the most of that whenever we recovered the ball. They play in the midfield to keep the ball, leaving many spaces.” 

And this space was soon exploited as Julian Alvarez latched on to a ball in the middle after Messi was fouled to barge inside the box and collect a penalty for a reckless foul by goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.  

Speaking about the patience and composure that is slowly coming back to Argentina’s game, Messi said: “This team – putting aside the strength we have collectively – is very smart, and we know how to read key moments of the game, of every game. [Coach Lionel] Scaloni stated that we’ve got a very smart team, that knows when and how to dig in, we know when and how to have the possession of the ball, we know when to press, when to sit back.” 

Praising the work of Scaloni and his deputies – former stars Pablo Aimar and Walter Samuel – Messi said: “We prepare the best way, along with a professional coaching staff that pays attention to details. They highlight everything you need to be aware of in each game, even if it is minimal.” 

A first-match loss to Saudi Arabia had threatened to derail Argentina’s campaign as soon as it started, but the team drew in on its inner strength to claw back and negotiate “five finals” to make it to the final after an eight-year wait.  

“The first match was a hard blow to all of us. At the time we had played the last 36 matches without a single loss. So, to lose the first match in the World Cup to a team nobody thought we could lose to, was a strong blow to all of us as a group,” Messi said. “We played five finals, and luckily won all of them. Hopefully, we’ll win the next one too. I think among ourselves we were too confident back then, because we knew our potential as a group, and we lost the first match in the fine margins. That helped us grow as a team and advance in the championship.”

And now, he will again play in the final and it would be his last in the World Cup, the legend indicated. “I feel very happy to be able to achieve this. To finish my World Cup journey by playing the last game in the final. It’s many years for the next one and I don’t think I will be able to do it,” Messi said.