Lionel Messi has taken a leaf out of Cristiano Ronaldo's book by
criticising Iceland's in-your-face football.
display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-1613429250165401" data-ad-slot="2607981819" data-ad-format="auto">Argentine ace Messi missed a penalty as the Scandinavian underdogs
snatched a 1-1 draw against one of the tournament favourites on
Saturday night.
Two years ago, Ronaldo blasted the Icelanders for having a “small
mentality” when they grabbed a draw against Portugal at 2016.
And Messi struck a similar chord when he claimed: “Iceland
practically did nothing.
display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-1613429250165401" data-ad-slot="2607981819" data-ad-format="auto">“All they did was defend and attack with nothing but long throw-ins.
“I think we deserved to win the game, but there are some positives
that we can take beyond the result.
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“We leave with a feeling of bitterness and anger.
display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-1613429250165401" data-ad-slot="2607981819" data-ad-format="auto">“I feel responsible for not being able to take the three points. With
the penalty we could have done.
“We really felt we were in a complicated group and we knew it would
be a difficult game.
“Physically Iceland are very strong, but now we must only think about
what is ahead.
“We must rest, prepare well, and not waste any more time thinking
about this game.”
Ronaldo (in red) taking on Iceland player Gylfi Sigurdsson in
Euro 2016 match. [Photo/Courtesy]
Argentina legend Diego Maradona urged their fans to chant for Messi
from his seat in the stand after the Barcelona forward had his
second-half spot-kick saved by Iceland keeper Hannes Halldorsson.
display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-1613429250165401" data-ad-slot="2607981819" data-ad-format="auto">And afterwards the Hand of God took to his Instagram account to
post a reminder that his Argentina side went on to reach the final in
1990 despite falling to a shock defeat to Cameroon in their opening
game.
Maradona wrote: “I started a World Cup losing, not drawing, in the
opening game of Italia '90.
“And, despite the injuries, despite everything, we reached the final.”
Diego Marathon confident that Argentina will make it through
despite drawing the opening match. [Photo/Courtesy]
The South Americans had 27 efforts on goal and 78 percent of the
possession, but their progress towards the last 16 has been made
much more difficult after Croatia took a grip on the group by beating
Nigeria 2-0.
display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-1613429250165401" data-ad-slot="2607981819" data-ad-format="auto">Messi said: “I am grateful for that the fans sang my name.
“The stadium was full of Argentines because our people live for these
competitions.
“We are disappointed not to start with three points, but we must now
keep calm and think about the games that are coming.
“Croatia are a great team and Nigeria are also good.” display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-1613429250165401" data-ad-slot="2607981819" data-ad-format="auto">
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