The Argentine star Lionel Messi, who missed a penalty in the second half in the 1-1 draw of his team against Iceland, confessed the "bitterness" of the team after the result and pointed out that the Albiceleste must already think about the next match against Croatia in Group D in Russia-2018.
"(Remains) the bitterness of not being able to add the three points because I think we deserved it and starting winning is always important," explained the Argentine forward, who was participative in the first half, was able to score with several shots from outside the area but left empty-handed after missing a penalty in the 63rd minute of play.
Iceland was making its debut in a World Cup and executed its plan to perfection: it regrouped, awaited its moment and created danger from set pieces and counterattacks.
Argentina failed to overcome the defensive barrier of the Europeans and crashed again and again into the Icelandic wall, which at times even placed 10 players around their area.
This circumstance was decisive in the performance of "La Pulga", who barely found gaps to unleash his game and did not manage to connect with his teammates in dangerous actions, although he tried during the 90 minutes.
"It's complicated, they didn't want to play either, there was no space to break through, we tried to play faster but we didn't find the spaces and they closed well," added Messi, who is playing his fourth World Cup in Russia-2018.
"We scored the goal quickly, they opened up a little more, they were lucky to equalize and I think that's where we could have had some more chances. In the second half, they closed in," he added.
"With the same excitement"
Despite the result, Messi assured that the team continues with the same excitement as before the match despite expecting a better result in their debut in the competition.
"We continue with the same excitement, with the same desire. Regardless of the fact that we can still improve, we deserved to win this match. We did not expect to start with one point in the first match but it is the first match and no one gives anything away. It's a very level World Cup, it's being seen that all the matches are very close. We must continue," he said.
Argentina will now face Croatia on the 21st and will close its participation in Group D on the 26th against Nigeria.
"We will try to get over this quickly and we have another day to rest and start preparing the match" against the Croats, concluded the Barcelona ace. (D)