Argentina national team star player, Lionel Messi, was flooded with praise after successfully bringing his team through to the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals. One of them came from the Australian National Team coach, Graham Arnold, who said Argentina should be proud to have a talented player like Lionel Messi.
As is known, Argentina has successfully advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup. This certainty was obtained after beating Australia with a score of 2-1 in the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup.
The match took place at the Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium, Ar Rayyan, Qatar, Sunday (4/12/2022). Two goals against Australia were scored by Messi (35′) and Julian Alvarez (57′).
Meanwhile, the Socceroos goal – nicknamed the Australian National Team – was scored by an own goal by Enzo Fernandez. He put the ball into his own net in the 77th minute.
After the match, Arnold gave sky-high praise to Messi. The reason is, the player nicknamed La Pulga was considered to have really played very well and was proven to be crowned Man of the Match in that match.
Arnold said that his team tried to focus throughout the game. However, the attempt failed because the Socceroos players were amazed by Messi’s aura.
“He (Messi) is extraordinary. One of the greatest,” said Arnold, quoted from ESPN, Sunday (4/12/2022).
“We really worked hard not to be in awe of him, because he’s a great player. But wow, he is amazing, “he continued.
The 59-year-old coach admitted that he was very lucky to be able to face two La Albiceleste superstars – the nickname of the Argentine National Team – in his career. Arnold said, Argentina should be proud to have a great player like Messi.
“I had the privilege to play against Diego Maradona, and now to coach against Messi. They are both extraordinary players.” “Argentina should be very proud and happy to have a player of that calibre,” said Arnold.
With that defeat, Australia had to lift their luggage from the 2022 World Cup. Meanwhile, La Albiceleste continued to advance to the quarterfinals. In the quarterfinals, Argentina will face a formidable opponent, namely the Netherlands. The match is scheduled to take place at the Lusail Stadium, Doha, Qatar, Saturday 10 December 2022.
