Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said he was proud of the way his players rallied around captain Lionel Messi on Monday, while admitting he was running out of words to describe another monumental performance from the veteran forward.<\/p>\n
Messi scored both goals in Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Austria, securing the Albiceleste<\/em>‘s place in the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup after recovering from an early penalty miss at the Dallas stadium.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00abAfter the penalty, there were a few minutes when it seemed like nothing was happening, but that’s also a product of the maturity this team has. Missing a penalty is a blow, but when Messi switches on, everyone switches on.\u00bb<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00abWhat he generates is incredible. We’re happy. I don’t even know what else to say about him anymore. I don’t know whether people are getting tired of hearing what I have to say!\u00bb<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00abThe match was similar to the one against Algeria [a 3-0 win], against an opponent with quality players who play for big\u00a0clubs and make things difficult for you.<\/p>\n \u00abThey are in good physical condition and, these days, fitness counts for a lot. The mental side does too.<\/p>\n \u00abThere are things we need to improve, but it’s much easier to do that when you’re winning.\u00bb<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00abWe don’t yet know the extent of Cuti’s problem. It’s something he had already been dealing with and we hope it’s nothing serious.<\/p>\n \u00abHe’ll undergo tests tomorrow or the day after.\u00bb<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00abI think all of us would have signed up for winning the first two matches and we’ll analyse it.<\/p>\n \u00abThe idea is for most of the players to feature because they deserve it, and if the match allows it, we’ll do that.\u00bb<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00abThere are seven or eight teams capable of competing for the World Cup, but this tournament is not about favourites or the players each national team has.<\/p>\n \u00abIt will come down to other factors: psychological and physical.<\/p>\n \u00abBut there are so many strong teams that one of the traditional powers will probably win it. We’ll be in the fight, but it’s going to be difficult.\u00bb<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2013 TIMES\/AFP<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\nScaloni on Argentina’s ‘maturity’<\/strong><\/h3>\n
No words for Messi<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\u00abToday, when the team was suffering without the ball, he worked hard. He won possession back in the move for the goal. You could see how committed he was, and that’s for a reason.<\/h3>\n
Austria toughest challenge yet<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Concern over Cristian Romero<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Squad rotation\u00a0against Jordan?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
‘In the fight’ for the title<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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