Lionel Messi mentioned the shock defeat to Saudi Arabia impressed Argentina’s resurgence within the FIFA World Cup 2022. Argentina, in its opening recreation on this World Cup, was surprised by Herve Renard’s Saudi Arabia 1-2 to the astonishment of an incredible group that might, over a month, reorganise and fine-tune its recreation to achieve the ultimate, with a medical 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,” mentioned the 35-year-old striker.
But Messi mentioned Argentina, as a group, 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 surprising defeat alerted the squad, and it proved how robust it was in Argentina’s subsequent matches. Since that match, Argentina beat Poland and 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 declaring, “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 from a penalty kick and developing 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.
