World Cup 2018: Lionel Messi breaks silence following penalty miss in Argentina draw to Iceland Lionel Messi has admitted his “hurt†aft...
Lionel Messi has admitted his “hurt†after missing a decisive penalty that would have seen Argentina snatch victory over Iceland on Sunday.
All eyes were on the Barcelona star to see how he would react following his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo’s stunning hat-trick to salvage a draw against Spain in Portugal’s opening game on Friday night, but Messi failed to deliver as the all-to-familiar Argentina reared its ugly head.
Disorganised in attack and shaky in defence, Iceland quickly e rased Sergio Aguero’s opener, before Maximiliano Meza was brought down, leaving Messi to do the honours from the spot kick.
Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings
22 show all Argentina vs Iceland - player ratings1/22 Willy Caballero 5/10
Did not look particularly comfortable at any stage of the game and like the rest of the defence a bit haphazard at times - susceptible for the first goal. Getty Images2/22 Eduardo Salvio 6/10
A rather uninspiring performance - not much to say either negatively or positively. AFP/Getty Images3/22 Nicolas Otamendi 6/10
A strong presence but has also got a mistake and chaotic decision in him. Getty Images4/22 Marcos Rojo 5/10
Doesn’t appear to be at full fitness. Hasn’t been in the first team at Manchester United for most of the season and it showed with Finnbogason running him ragged. Did, inadvertently, set up Argentina’s only goal, mind. Getty Images5/22 Nicolas Tagliafico 6/10
A very reasonable display and looked okay going forward with a cleverly flicked header. AFP/Getty Images6/22 Javier Mascherano 7/10
Showed a good range of passing but a bit leggy. AFP/Getty Images7/22 Lucas Biglia 7/10
Looked good in stages, had a couple of threatening moments and linked up the play nicely. Getty Images8/22 Maximiliano Meza 6/10
A few histrionic moments but a relatively decent performance in general and made the run for the penalty. Getty Images9/22 Lionel Messi 6/10
Not the main man today, but good at what he did. Always looks a threat and tested the keeper enough times BUT, importantly, missed the golden opportunity provided to him with another penalty miss. AFP/Getty Images10/22 Angel Di Maria 5/10
Looked good in stages, had a couple of threatening mom ents and linked up the play nicely. AFP/Getty Images11/22 Sergio Aguero 8/10
Fabulous play for the opening goal to give himself the space. General play was reasonable but doesn’t matter when you can produce moments of magic. Getty Images12/22 Hannes Þór Halldórsson 9/10
Strong and decisive (unlike his opposite number), making saves when called upon and saved the penalty from Messi. Getty Images13/22 Birkir Már Sævarsson 7/10
A good and competent display, part of an organised unit. AFP/Getty Images14/22 Kári Ãrnason 7/10
A key figure in iceland’s defence looked at ease defending against some of the world’s best talent. AFP/Getty Images15/22 Ragnar Sigurðsson 8/10
Crucial interceptions and a threat going forwards as well. Can be proud of his performance. Getty16/22 Hörður Björgvin Magnússon 6/10
A steady if unspec tacular game but a big part of Iceland’s defensive block in general. AFP/Getty Images17/22 JB Gudmundsson 7/10
Played a big part for Burnley this year in helping them qualify for Europa League and was equally instrumental today before his injury on the hour mark. AFP/Getty Images18/22 Aron Gunnarsson 6/10
Not his best game, but not bad. Maybe we can blame the ref for standing on his heel. Still led the team with vigour. AFP/Getty Images19/22 Emil Hallfreðsson 7/10
Strong performance in general and some threatening long-throws. AFP/Getty Images20/22 Birkir Bjarnason 6/10
The Aston Villa man who opened Iceland’s account at Euro 2016 squandered the chance to do so here but a generally good performance. Getty Images21/22 Gylfi Sigurðsson 8/10
Iceland’s best known player didn’t let down his team today, creating chances and showed Iceland’s coolness on the ball. AFP/Getty Images22/22 Alfreð Finnbogason 9/10
Led the line like a true number 9 (despite being a no.11) but scored the goal and looked a menace throughout. AFP/Getty ImagesHowever, his penalty was saved and try as he did to make amends from thereon after, he couldn’t find a way to penetrate the Wall of Ice in front of him.
“It would have changed the script. It was the advantage,†he said. “Obviously it hurts me to have missed the penalty. They would have opened a little more and we could have found more spaces.
“We have the bitterness of not being able to take the three points that we deserved. To start with winning is always important, now we have to think about Croatia. We will try to pass this quickly.â€
Messi added his frustration that Iceland “did not want to play†but admitted they “closed well†whenever he had the ball.
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Source: Google News Argentina | Netizen 24 Argentina
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