男友太凶猛1v1高h,大地资源在线资源免费观看 ,人妻少妇精品视频二区,极度sm残忍bdsm变态

Global EditionASIA 中文雙語Fran?ais
Sports
Home / Sports / Soccer

Messi thrilled as Copa America glory draws nearer

Xinhua | Updated: 2021-07-07 15:08
Share
Share - WeChat
Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a penalty during the shootout against Colombia at Semi Final of Copa America 2021 in Brasilia, Brazil, July 6, 2021. [Photo/Agencies]

BRASILIA -- Lionel Messi said Tuesday that he is more "thrilled than ever" at the prospect of winning an elusive international trophy after helping Argentina beat Colombia on penalties to reach the Copa America final.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved three spot-kicks in the shootout as the Albiceleste set up a clash with hosts Brazil in Saturday's decider at the Maracana stadium.

"It was a tough game but we deserved it," Messi said in an interview with Argentine television after the match. "At times it became difficult because of the way they defended. But we have [Emiliano Martinez] who is a phenomenon. We knew he was going to make those saves. We know what he is capable of and we trusted him."

Messi set up Lautaro Martinez for Argentina's only goal in the allotted 90 minutes before converting the first penalty of the shootout.

The 34-year-old has been in unstoppable form in Brazil, racking up four goals and five assists in the tournament so far.

"Many times it's easier to play against European teams than this type of game because there are more spaces," he said. "We tried our best and luckily we were able to win."

Argentina's last major tournament triumph came at the 1993 Copa America in Ecuador, where Gabriel Batistuta led them to a 2-1 win over Mexico in the final.

The Albiceleste have come frustratingly close to ending the drought during Messi's time in the national team, finishing runners up at the 2014 World Cup and the 2015 and 2016 editions of the Copa America.

"We are very excited and happy," he said. "Irrespective of whether we win, I've really enjoyed these last 45 days with the team, despite not being able to see our families. It's been a big sacrifice for everyone to try to achieve our goal and now we are almost there."

He also did not hide his enthusiasm at facing his former Barcelona teammate and close friend Neymar in the final.

"We are friends and he wanted me to be there too. I'm sure it's going to be a very even and tough match. We achieved our first objective, which was to reach the final and now we are more thrilled than ever in search of a trophy," the forward added. 

Most Popular

Highlights

What's Hot
Top
BACK TO THE TOP
English
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.
License for publishing multimedia online 0108263

Registration Number: 130349
FOLLOW US
主站蜘蛛池模板: 莒南县| 马关县| 兴文县| 霍邱县| 广饶县| 青田县| 五指山市| 平凉市| 大理市| 铜陵市| 石楼县| 辉县市| 五家渠市| 荃湾区| 韶山市| 平谷区| 克什克腾旗| 阜城县| 辉南县| 乐亭县| 鄯善县| 甘孜| 宁武县| 抚宁县| 镇康县| 原平市| 荣成市| 灵璧县| 鄂伦春自治旗| 绥芬河市| 霍州市| 武夷山市| 皋兰县| 芦溪县| 家居| 特克斯县| 礼泉县| 平塘县| 京山县| 洛宁县| 桂东县|