FIFA World Cup 2022: Argentina can nonetheless win it, says Pablo Zabaleta after shock defeat to Saudi Arabia

FIFA World Cup 2022: Former right-back Pablo Zabaleta mentioned there’s nonetheless a protracted approach to go for Argentina they usually can go on to elevate the cup on December 18 regardless of having opened their marketing campaign with a shock loss to lower-ranked Saudi Arabia.

New Delhi,UPDATED: Nov 23, 2022 16:07 IST

Lionel Messi might want to encourage Argentina after their loss to Saudi Arabia (AP Photo)

By India Today Web Desk: Former Argentina and Manchester City right-back Pablo Zabaleta has mentioned Lionel Messi’s males can nonetheless win the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar regardless of their defeat to Saudi Arabia of their opening match on Tuesday. Zabaleta mentioned it is time for Lionel Scaloni and his workforce to place their heads down, neglect the shock outcome in opposition to the Asian facet and make it by means of to the knockouts.

Argentina had been topic to one of the vital stunning upsets in soccer World Cup historical past as they had been crushed 2-1 by Saudi Arabia on the Lusail Stadium. Lionel Messi put them forward within the tenth minute from the spot however it was not sufficient as Saudis sruck twice in an area of 5 minutes within the second half to create shockwaves across the soccer world.

Saleh Al Shehri and Salem Al Dawsari scored in fast succession to shock Argentina and the standard of the second strike from Dawsari lifted Saudi Arabia, who gave it their all to maintain Argentina threats away in the remainder of the match. Messi and his mates had been refrained from discovering the again of the online by Mohammed Al Owais, who got here up with a lion-hearted effort between the sticks.

Messi seemed crestfallen when the ultimate whistle was blown however the Argentina captain urged his teammates to chin up and give attention to their remaining matches. It’s not going to be a straightforward path to the knockout for the previous champions as they need to face Mexico and Poland, who performed out a goalless draw on Tuesday.

“Can we still win it? Of course,” mentioned Zabaleta. “There is still a long way to go,” he added as he cited Argentina’s run to the ultimate in 1990 the place they had been crushed by Cameroon within the opening match.

MESSI’S POSITIVE CALL

Argentina paid the value for an absence of defensive self-discipline in these 5-minute peiod int he seocnd half. In reality, it was Messi who misplaced the ball within the center led to Saleh Al Shehri discovering the again of the online.

Argentina additionally should be cautious of off-side traps as 3 targets had been disallowed for the La Albiceleste within the first half.

“Now’s the time to be more united than ever, to show our true strength. It’s up to us to fix what we did badly,” Messi mentioned.

The strain will probably be on Argentina after they come up in opposition to Mexico on Sunday, November 27 however Messi and his males will probably be eager on getting factors on board and retaining their World Cup marketing campaign alive.

Published On:

Nov 23, 2022