Argentina captain Lionel Messi has reacted to his side’s shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
The 35-year-old opened the scoring for his side in the 10th minute via a penalty and Argentina looked in control in the first half, during which they had three more goals ruled out due to offside.
However, Saudi Arabia came out guns blazing in the second interval and turned the game upside down thanks to goals by Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari.
After the match, Messi appeared in front of the media and insisted his side, who were unbeaten in 35 games going into this game, are facing a real test of character now.
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“There are no excuses. We have to be more united than ever,” he said, as per Argentine journalist Roy Nemer.
“This group is strong and has shown it. It’s a situation we haven’t gone through in a long time.
“Now we have to show that this is a real group.
“It’s a very hard blow for everyone, we didn’t expect to start like this. Things happen for a reason.
“We have to prepare for what’s coming, we have to win and it depends on us.”
Argentina next face Mexico on Saturday, in what is likely be a heated affair between the two rivals.
