Messi celebrates vacancy, but regrets suffering in triumph over Netherlands

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Lionel Messi, 35, celebrated Argentina’s qualification to the World Cup semifinals with a caveat: so much suffering was not necessary. The team won by two goals apart, but allowed the Netherlands to draw 2-2. After extra time, the South American team won on penalties.

“We’re relieved, but it wasn’t a game for penalties, it wasn’t even supposed to go to overtime. But we’re suffering when it’s possible to suffer and we managed to pass”, said the number 10 and captain of the Argentine national team.

“Game by game we are showing that we know how to play football. We put the same determination, the same intensity”, he added.

Messi lamented the tension created during the match, with the Argentines and the Dutch exchanging several pushes, especially after the draw for the European team. For the ace, the referee, the Spaniard Mateu Lahoz, lacked pulse.

“I was very upset, the game was not supposed to go to this climate. We know we were facing a great selection, but Fifa needs to review some choices in relation to the judges”, said the number 10

After the game, Messi had an argument with Dutch coach Lous Van Gaal. The Argentine star said that there was a lack of respect on the part of the coach in the days leading up to the match.

“I don’t like people talking before games. That’s not part of football. I always respect everyone, but I like people to respect me too. Van Gaal didn’t respect us,” he said.

For the semifinal game against the Croatians, Messi foresees more difficulties. “Croatia showed that they are a great team, they played on equal terms with Brazil. In some moments, they were even dominating the game. It will be very difficult”, he predicted.

Messi, who is playing in his fifth World Cup, could become the player with the most appearances in the history of the competition if he takes the field in the semifinal and in the following game (the decision or the match for third place). He has 24 caps, the same number as Germany’s Klose. The leader is the also German Lothar Matthaus, who entered the field 25 times.

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