Argentina manager Scaloni hails Messi as Argentina breathe life into World Cup

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni lavished praise on Lionel Messi after the Albiceleste captain scored one goal and set up another in a 20 win over Mexico in their World Cup Group C duel here on SaturdayMessi put his side ahead with a sublime longrange strike just after the hour before providing the final pass for Enzo Fernandezs curling effort three minutes from time reports XinhuaThe first half wasnt a good one for either team but we started to play better in the second and Messi did what he does Scaloni told a postmatch news conference The group is able to support him and knows the importance that he hasScaloni made three changes early in the second half replacing Guido Rodriguez Lautaro Martinez and Gonzalo Montiel with Nahuel Molina Julian Alvarez and FernandezBut the 44yearold refused to take the credit for his sides change of fortunesWe got through a difficult period in the first half and the game changed Scaloni said That the change wasnt because of the substitutions It was because we have good players and we have Leo and thats whats importantThe result followed Argentinas surprise 21 loss to Saudi Arabia in their opening match of the tournament and averted the prospect of elimination in the World Cup group stage for the first time since 2002Also readFIFA World Cup 2022 Messi Fernandez goals guide Argentina to a 20 win over MexicoA victory and possibly even a draw in their final Group C match against Poland on Wednesday will secure the Albiceleste a place in the round of 16 Scaloni predicted another stern test for his forwards against the European sideIts going to be difficult because everybody plays differently against us not only because of Leo but because of other attacking players that we have That makes the game more difficult We will try to play the game that everybody is hopping for and if it doesnt eventuate we will leave everything on the pitch like we did todayScaloni suggested the media had overreacted to his teams defeat to Saudi Arabia insisting his players had not been deflated by the resultYou have to have more common sense and realize that you are playing a game of football Scaloni said Its difficult to convince people that tomorrow the sun will rise and the most important thing is how you go about doing things Thats what we try to keep in mindHe added We are happy because we won Maybe you will call me crazy but its no more than that Well celebrated but tomorrow we have to think about the next game and maintain an equilibriumThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever