World Cup 2022: Scaloni calls for calm after Messi's magic

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni asked his compatriots to calm down after superstar Lionel Messi helped the "tango dancers" keep their hopes of qualifying for the second round standing by beating Mexico with two clean goals at Lusail Stadium on Saturday in the second round of Group C in the World Cup Qatar.

Argentina played its second match in Qatar after a historic loss against Saudi Arabia 1-2 with its back to the wall, but it came out victorious thanks to Messi's magic and a wonderful goal by young substitute Enso Fernandez (21 years).

But it remains for Scaloni's men to beat Poland on Wednesday to ensure qualification for the final price.

When asked about the pictures that showed his assistant, former international midfielder Pablo Aimar, on the brink of tears during the match, the coach called on Scaloni to see things from a different perspective, saying, "You have to have some logic, it's just a football match."

"I received a message from my brother saying he was crying and it couldn't be like that. It was more than just a football match," he added.

And he added, "I do not share that. The players must understand that it is a football match. If this is not the case, it will be repeated in every match," stressing at the same time that "it is difficult to make people understand that the sun will rise tomorrow, if you win or I lost. What matters is how you do things."

Scaloni stressed that he would not celebrate the victory of the world champions twice (1978 and 1986) now, especially since the "Albiceleste" team did not guarantee qualification, as even a draw against Poland could knock him out of the group stage.

He said, "People will think I'm crazy, but I'm fine, we won, we will celebrate and this happens. Tomorrow we have to prepare for the match and it's like when we won the Copa (America) final when we had to think about what happens next."

"Joy does not last long, you have to maintain balance," he added.

Scaloni expected Poland to raise the group leader with 4 points, which needs an orphan point to qualify for the final price, from its technical and physical level, in front of its second runner-up, Argentina, with a goal difference from Saudi Arabia.

Mexico is at the bottom with a point.

"Poland is very difficult, everyone plays differently (against Argentina). They don't change (their style) only for Leo (Messi), but for all the other players and out of respect for Argentina," he said.

For his part, Messi admitted that the four days between falling to Saudi Arabia and winning against Mexico were very difficult for the players.

"It was uncomfortable considering the defeat in the opening game, which we didn't expect," he said.

"The days were very long, and that's what I felt. We were keen to have a chance to change this situation. We knew it was a decisive match. If we don't win we're out, and if we win we'll have another chance."

"Fortunately, we were able to win and that was a heavy burden on our shoulders and we were happy. We feel peace of mind, things are about us again," added Afzal, the 7-time Golden Ball winner for the best player in the world.

Argentina seemed disjointed and lacked ideas in the first half against Mexico, but the changes made by Scaloni helped Messi and his companions put the opponent under more pressure, and in the end the little “flea” broke the deadlock in the 64th minute with a charming shot from outside the penalty area.

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