World Cup 2022: defeat to Saudi Arabia, a "very hard blow" for Messi
Argentina captain Lionel Messi dejected after the loss to Saudi Arabia.
REUTERS - CARL RECINE
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
Argentina suffered "a very hard blow", "a defeat that hurts", admitted its captain Lionel Messi after the surprise setback conceded against Saudi Arabia (2-1) for the entry into the running of the Albiceleste Tuesday at the Mondial-2022.
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“It
's a very hard blow, a defeat that hurts, but we have to continue to have confidence in ourselves.
This group is not going to give up.
We will try to beat Mexico
” on Saturday for Argentina's second group match in Qatar, he reacted in the mixed zone.
“
The goal scored early hurt us, it misled us.
We knew it could happen not to play in the best way in the first game.
We have not found the game, the operation that we had shown for a long time.
And, as the minutes go by, with the opposite result, things become more and more difficult
, ”he said.
This unexpected setback, which will force Argentina to whip in Group C, also puts an end to its unbeaten streak of 36 matches, stopped only one length from the record of European champion Italy (2018-2021) .
"
We didn't expect to start this way.
We thought we started well, with three points, as we said before the match.
It would have brought us peace.
But this group is distinguished by its unity, by its solidity.
Now is the time to be more united than ever, to get back to the basics and to our game
,” he continued.
World Cup 2022: Saudi Arabia feat against Argentina
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World Cup 2022