Relief for Messi as Rojo goal sends Argentina into last 16 - Messi post-match reaction

Macdara Ferris reports from St. Petersburg

It was a relieved Lionel Messi who spoke after the match as his team left it late to get by Nigeria and head to the last 16.

He admitted it was a nervous performance from La Albiceleste and he feared his team were going to run out of time.

Messi grabbed the 100th goal of the tournament with a delightful opener on 14 minutes and his team built on that goal in a dominant first half.

They couldn’t quite get a second before the break with Messi going closest – hitting a post with a trademark whipped left-footed free kick.

However they let Nigeria back into the game in the second half and were three minutes from elimination before Marcos Rojo got the winner to spark joyous scenes on the pitch and, assuredly, across Argentina as well.

“It has been a very balanced game,” said Messi who picked up the man-of-the-match award.

“We controlled the first half. We had more possession and we looked to create more opportunities even after the first goal.

“We thought the second half would be similar but they scored with a penalty. We got nervous and had the impression that time was going by quicker.

“That is why we started to attack and press more and that is how we managed to score and got through.



“We have suffered a lot as it was a difficult situation and we had a lot at stake. It was a huge relief for all of us (when Rojo scored).

“It was a difficult match because of our results before and many of the things that had been said.

“We need it would be difficult but fortunately we have achieved our aim. We were confident that we could go through and fortunately that became true.”

The Argentine squad will travel to Kazan now to take on France in the round of 16.

Messi acknowledge that he plays his club football with some opponents that he will face in that game, including Samuel Umtiti and Ousmane Dembele, so he is familiar with what the French squad has to offer.

“We have watched every single France game. We follow every game. France are a very good team. They have very good individual skilled players.



“They are very fast and players who can really make a difference. I have teammates who I know very well and I know what we need to do.”

    About Macdara Ferris

    Macdara Ferris is a contributor since 2007 to Hoops Scene (Shamrock Rovers' match day programme) and is the co-author of two books on Shamrock Rovers - 'Tallaght Time: Shamrock Rovers 2009 to 2012' (with Karl … View Full Profile