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Argentina’s World Cup marketing campaign hit a bump within the highway in opposition to Cape Verde – and Lionel Messi got here away with a bump of his personal on his brow.
Messi was once more on the scoresheet with a elegant aim as Argentina beat the West African minnows 3-2 to succeed in the final 16 – however solely after extra-time.
And the 39-year-old got here away battered and bruised after taking a knee to his noggin.
After falling and whacking his head in opposition to an opponent’s leg, Messi reached for an ice pack to help his restoration earlier than enjoying on for the remainder of the match.
In his post-match interview, followers bought a close-up view of his new facial mound, which shone vivid and clear – although one fan rebranded it a ‘badge of greatness’.
Messi had given Argentina the lead after 29 minutes after effortlessly taking down a protracted go and lifting the ball over goalkeeper Vozinha.
Lionel Messi got here away from Argentina’s winover Cape Verde with a bruise on his brow
Messi scored nevertheless it was a detailed affair for Argentina, who wanted extra-time to win 3-2
However Cape Verde weren’t about to roll over and simply earlier than the hour mark, Deroy Duarte snatched a shock equaliser which might ship the sport to extra-time.
There, Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez transformed a robust shot to dampen Cape Verdean hopes, however then the unthinkable occurred.
Defender Sidny Lopes Cabral curled a lovely long-range screamer into the far nook of the online and ran off to have fun within the crowd, considering he had doubtlessly despatched the sport to penalties.
However soccer could be a merciless sport typically and so it proved to be, as an personal aim from Diney within the 111th minute from an Argentina nook denied a fairytale outcome.
Argentina will face Egypt within the final 16.
Messi mentioned: ‘Truthfully, we already knew this was going to be a really troublesome match. It wasn’t a coincidence that this workforce didn’t lose to Spain or Uruguay.
‘Scoring the primary aim was the toughest half, and we thought it will assist us management the sport and play with extra calm, however the precise reverse occurred.
‘We misplaced possession at occasions, dropped somewhat too deep, and couldn’t press them the best way we needed. They took benefit of their strengths and located the equalizer. We knew this was at all times going to be an advanced sport.
‘These are knockout matches, no one offers you something free of charge. Some individuals would possibly underestimate sure groups due to their names, however we knew this was by no means going to be a straightforward match.
‘That’s what makes this World Cup so particular. All the things is extremely shut, and each single sport is extraordinarily troublesome.
‘As at all times, we gave all the pieces we had, no matter whether or not we performed effectively or didn’t produce our greatest soccer.
‘Now an important factor is to get better, give attention to the following match, and take the positives from in the present day’s sport.’
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