Lionel Messi had just broken the greatest individual record in World Cup history. He was exhausted; he admitted he could barely think straight, but that did not stop him from reflecting on a historic night for Argentina.
“I am enjoying this moment and seeing how far we can go together,” Messi said after the 2-0 win over Austria sealed their place in the last 16.
“Today I had the penalty, but maybe I wouldn’t have scored the others if that had gone in.”
Only Messi could turn a missed penalty into a philosophical footnote. His ninth-minute spot-kick was woefully wide, and it looked for long periods as though it might prove costly against a disciplined Austria side that gave the defending champions considerably more trouble than the scoreline suggests.
When asked to identify his favourite among his 18 World Cup goals, a tally that now stands alone in history, Messi was characteristically uninterested in the question.
“I don’t know, to be honest, I can’t remember right now,” he said with a smile. “I’m tired, I’m running low on energy and I’m finding it hard to think. I’m just going to enjoy this moment and I’m looking forward to celebrating with my team-mates.”
The captain was more expansive on the significance of the result itself. “I’m really happy about the win, especially as it’s such a crucial victory, hard-fought and well-earned, but one that gives us peace of mind for what lies ahead,” he said.
“This is the World Cup. It was a very evenly matched, very intense match, and we’re happy to have picked up six points and to have already qualified.”
Julian Alvarez, who played a key role in the second goal before Messi bundled home the rebound, kept his assessment simple. “There isn’t much to say – we can all see that he is the best in the world,” the forward said.
“I am helping the team as much as I can. We have started with our foot on the accelerator and we have to carry on like this.”
Rangnick left frustrated
Austria manager Ralf Rangnick was frustrated by the manner of the defeat but refused to be downcast about his side’s overall display.
“We could have achieved more, but overall our performance was exactly as we’d planned – bold and courageous,” he said.
“I would have liked to see a bit more courage in one or two situations, and perhaps a shot or two from distance, which would have been possible, especially in the first half. The way the 2-0 came about, with that counter-attack, was very frustrating. But overall, it was a good performance from us.”
Rangnick is right that Austria were excellent value on the night. They now face Algeria in the group finale, knowing a win should be enough to advance.
For Argentina, the only direction is forward. Six points, already through, a record-breaker in the ranks.
