Lionel Messi relieved by ‘weight off our shoulders’ after Argentina victory

Nick Ames at Lusail Stadium
·2 min read
<span>Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian</span>
Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

Lionel Messi said Argentina had lifted “a weight off our shoulders” after the 2-0 win over Mexico, sparked by his brilliant second-half goal, that breathed life into their teetering World Cup campaign.

It was, as Messi pointed out, a moment of arrival for one of the tournament favourites. Argentina would have been eliminated from the competition had they lost but improved significantly after a tentative first half and Messi, who retains hope of winning the prize that has eluded him during an unparalleled career, articulated the sense of profound relief.

This is a World Cup like no other. For the last 12 years the Guardian has been reporting on the issues surrounding Qatar 2022, from corruption and human rights abuses to the treatment of migrant workers and discriminatory laws. The best of our journalism is gathered on our dedicated Qatar: Beyond the Football home page for those who want to go deeper into the issues beyond the pitch.

Guardian reporting goes far beyond what happens on the pitch. Support our investigative journalism today.

“We lived with discomfort given the defeat in the opening match [against Saudi Arabia] was something we didn’t expect,” he said. “The days felt very long and we were eager to have the chance to turn it around. We knew it was a critical game. Luckily we had the option to win and it was a weight off our shoulders, a reason for joy and peace of mind because it is all down to us again.”

Related: Messi ignites Argentina’s World Cup before Fernández finishes off Mexico

Argentina will be guaranteed a last 16 place if they defeat Poland on Wednesday. Messi said the victory over an unambitious Mexico was a chance to “bring peace of mind and start again”. He added: “We needed this result, it seems like in the second half we made our true debut.”

The Argentina manager, Lionel Scaloni, pleaded for a composed response to setbacks and triumphs alike, stressing the need for an “emotional balance” in assessment of his side. “It’s thrilling to see them all playing,” he continued. “If you don’t feel identified with this squad it’s because you don’t want to. I’m very proud of all my players and excited about what they did.”

Interactive

Scaloni believes Messi’s presence on this stage should be savoured. “Messi should enjoy this World Cup and Argentina fans should enjoy seeing him playing,” he said. “We need to keep our feet on the ground.”

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest Stories

  • Q1 2024 Goosehead Insurance Inc Earnings Call

    Q1 2024 Goosehead Insurance Inc Earnings Call

  • Stock market today: US futures tumble after Meta's reality check, with GDP on deck

    Meta's AI reality check has dented hopes for a Big Tech revival for stocks, with a GDP update waiting in the wings.

  • Dow Jones Futures Fall As Meta Dives, Chipotle Eyes Buy Point; Key Economic Data Due

    The rally attempt paused Wednesday as Nvidia reversed lower. Meta, Chipotle and ServiceNow led key earnings late.

  • Dua Lipa carries Y2K Gucci bag

    The silver style was the perfect accessory to her denim ensemble

  • Lawyers seek UN help for release of American held by the Taliban

    Lawyers for Ryan Corbett, an American held by the Taliban for nearly two years without charge, on Thursday sought U.N. help to secure his immediate release, contending that he has been tortured and is suffering physical and mental health problems. The lawyers filed urgent petitions with the Geneva-based U.N. Special Rapporteur on Torture Alice Edwards and the U.N. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention arguing that Corbett's fundamental rights have been violated, justifying U.N. action on his case.

  • How to Be More Timely

    Have you been rolling out of bed with minutes to spare?. Maybe you've been wondering to yourself: "where does all the time go?". Strive to be on time with these helpful tips:.

  • Bloodied Horse Seriously Injured But Alive, Army Says

    Jordan Pettitt/PA Images/Getty ImagesThe white horse which charged through London streaked crimson by blood is in a serious condition but still alive, British military officials said Thursday.Vida, technically known as a grey horse, is in an equine hospital after the dramatic incident in Central London Wednesday. Up to five horses either bolted or threw their riders after builders working on a construction site dropped a heavy load of concrete and rubble from height on an otherwise quiet street

  • Comcast Edges Wall Street Q1 Estimates; Peacock Reaches 34M Subscribers As Its Losses Continue To Narrow And Revenue Tops $1B

    Comcast reported first quarter results that outpaced Wall Street expectations, with Peacock reaching 34 million subscribers but seeing higher programming costs erode profits in the Media unit. Total revenue inched up 1% to $30.1 billion, with adjusted earnings per share coming in at $1.04, up from 92 cents in the year-ago period. The Media division, …

  • Canada’s Retail Sales Stalled In First Quarter

    Canada’s retail sales stagnated to start the year as consumers pulled back on discretionary spending. ...

  • London travel news LIVE: Disruption to and from Euston as train hits piece of wood near Watford Junction

    Disruption has hit the morning rush-hour on Thursday after a train crashed into a a piece of wood near Watford. Trains to and from Euston are among those affected. National Rail warns trains are having to run at reduced speeds on the line towards Milton Keynes Central.

  • Mexican cement maker Cemex's Q1 profit climbs despite dip in volumes

    Mexican cement-maker Cemex reported a 13% increase in first-quarter net profit on Thursday, bolstered by lower taxes and less exposure to financial derivatives, although its operating earnings declined. The firm, one of the world's largest cement producers, posted a net profit of $254.4 million, beating analysts' estimate of $218.2 million as per LSEG data. Revenue inched up 3% year-over-year to $4.14 billion, just shy of analysts' estimate of $4.19 billion, despite volumes falling in all of its product segments.

  • Lula's South American summit plan unlikely in tense region, diplomats say

    A diplomatic crisis in Ecuador and uncertainty over Venezuela's political future have divided South American nations and killed enthusiasm for a summit that Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is trying to convene, diplomats in the region say. Seeking to become a regional leader again, Lula gathered 11 presidents in Brazil's capital last May, but the forum called the Brasilia Consensus was struck by disagreement over the presence of Venezuela's authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro. Chilean President Gabriel Boric, a fellow leftist from a younger generation, criticized Lula for inviting Maduro to a meeting of democratic leaders, as did Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou.

  • 2024 NFL Draft odds: QBs Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr. headline first round bubble players

    Not every highly-touted prospect will be selected in the first 32 picks of the NFL Draft. Here are the players on the bubble per their over/under.

  • Lauren Hemp: Lego helps me relax off the pitch as City push for WSL title on it

    As a 17-year-old Lauren Hemp walked off the pitch on May 3, 2018 following Bristol City’s defeat by Manchester City, little did she know her life was about to change. At that moment, the then-England captain Steph Houghton wanted a quiet word in her ear.

  • Key points from Humza Yousaf’s speech after ditching Scottish Greens

    Scotland’s First Minister has terminated the powersharing agreement and the SNP will now govern as a minority administration.

  • SNP's power-sharing deal with the Scottish Greens collapses

    It follows the government's decision to scrap key climate targets and its response to a review into gender services.

  • Claudia Schiffer just praised Kylie Jenner for copying her vintage Chanel moment

    The model posted a throwback picture of herself to Instagram in the same bikini and it's iconic. See photos

  • Stevie's Scoop: From spring to summer

    Stevie's Scoop: From spring to summer

  • Ukraine's central bank lowers key rate to 13.5% in second consecutive cut

    Ukraine's central bank lowered its main interest rate to 13.5% from 14.5% on Thursday to support the wartime economy, but said it had cut its 2024 GDP forecast to 3% from 3.6% due to Russian air strikes on the energy system. The central bank said it saw room to further ease its main interest rate after long-delayed U.S. aid was finally approved this week with inflation in Ukraine lower than initially forecast so far this year. "The course of the full-scale war continues to be the key risk to inflation dynamics and economic development," the central bank said.

  • Scottish National Party ends 3-year power-sharing deal with Greens after climate change dispute

    The Scottish National Party brought an end to its three-year power-sharing agreement with the much smaller Greens on Thursday after tensions grew between the two pro-independence parties over climate change policies. Humza Yousaf, Scotland's first minister, informed the Greens he was terminating 2001's Bute House Agreement, which was signed by his predecessor Nicola Sturgeon, with immediate effect. The move means Green co-leaders Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvie are no longer part of the Scottish government, and that the SNP will be operating as a minority administration.