Argentina skipper Lionel Messi described the 2-0 victory over Austria as \u201cvery even, very intense\u201d after leading the team to qualification for the World Cup 2026 knockouts.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very happy with the win; it\u2019s extremely important and I think it gives us peace of mind for what lies ahead,\u201d said Messi.<\/p>\n
\u00abThis is the World Cup. The match was very even, very intense,\u00bb the skipper told reporters after scoring both goals in Argentina’s victory over Austria and breaking the all-time record for the most goals at the tournament.<\/p>\n
Two days before his 39th birthday, Messi reached 18 World Cup goals and became the tournament’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing Germany’s Miroslav Klose, whose previous record of 16 goals has stood since Brazil 2014.<\/p>\n
\u00abI’m running low on energy and finding it hard to think,\u00bb he said during the brief interview. \u00abI’m enjoying the moment and looking forward to being with my team-mates.\u00bb<\/p>\n
\u201cThe whole squad is absolutely delighted by this; when we get together, we enjoy being together, competing, training day in, day out, and seeing how excited the fans are,\u201d said the national team captain.<\/p>\n
\u00abIt’s fantastic how it turned out. I had the penalty today that could have extended the lead,\u00bb he said when asked to assess the victory.<\/p>\n
\u201cI enjoy playing and having a good time on the pitch. I was really annoyed about the penalty because I missed it, but, luckily, we managed to turn that situation around.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve already given the fans plenty to cheer about, but we\u2019ll try to give them one more reason,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNobody gives anything away for free; at times today we struggled to play the way we wanted to \u2013 it was very scrappy and difficult to play \u2013 but it was important to pick up the six points to have a calmer week.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u2018Greatest in history\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n Messi\u2019s Albiceleste team-mates showered praise on their skipper in post-match interviews.\u00a0<\/p>\n Forward Juli\u00e1n \u00c1lvarez, who has recently recovered from a sprained left ankle and entered the pitch as a second-half substitute, said Argentina\u2019s number 10 \u00abis already the greatest in history and he keeps proving it. At his age, he still has all that talent and magic.\u00bb<\/p>\n \u00abI feel good now,\u00bb \u00c1lvarez said of his injury. \u00abSo I’m supporting the team and making the most of whatever minutes I get.\u00bb<\/p>\n \u00c1lvarez came off the bench against both Austria and Algeria last week, another Argentina victory in which Messi scored an unprecedented hat-trick in a 3-0 win.<\/p>\n \u00abThere’s not much left to say about Leo. He’s been the best in the world for more than 20 years and he’s the greatest in history,\u00bb \u00c1lvarez said.<\/p>\n Asked which opponent he would prefer in the round of 16, \u00c1lvarez replied: \u00abIn the end, you have to beat everyone.\u00bb<\/p>\n \u00abThere are no words for Leo. There’s no point comparing him because he’s alone at the top,\u00bb defender Lisandro Mart\u00ednez said after the victory at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, outside Dallas.<\/p>\n \u00abAll that’s left is to enjoy him. I’m incredibly proud to have him by my side and for him to be Argentine. We have to appreciate him,\u00bb said the Manchester United centre-back.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Physical contest<\/strong><\/p>\n Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister said Argentina had expected a physical and hard-fought contest against Austria and got exactly what they expected.<\/p>\n \u00abWe knew it was going to be like that. They’re physical and strong, and we expected a tough match, but fortunately it worked out well,\u00bb the Liverpool midfielder said.<\/p>\n \u00abI think it was an excellent game. Both teams wanted to play,\u00bb agreed Mart\u00ednez. \u00abWhen we needed to move the ball around, we did.\u00bb<\/p>\n Mac Allister praised Austria’s performance and suggested other matches in the tournament would follow a similar pattern.<\/p>\n \u00abFrom the start you know it’s going to be like this. We did well and tried to keep more of the ball, but today’s match was very competitive. They pressed hard and there will be more games like that.\u00bb<\/p>\n The midfielder also praised Messi’s latest display and spoke on behalf of the squad.<\/p>\n \u00abWe know everyone gives their maximum when playing alongside Leo. We’ve already won trophies with him and it’s important that he enjoys himself. The way he keeps doing it is incredible and we’re very grateful for that.\u00bb<\/p>\n
\u2013 TIMES\/AFP\/NA<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
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