Lionel Messi said his team was feeling bitter after Argentina lost their opening Copa America match 2-0 to Colombia despite dominating the second half. Goals from Roger Martinez and Duvan Zapata in the final 20 minutes gave Colombia their first tournament victory over Argentina in 20 years as Messi's hopes of finally landing a major international tournament after losing in four finals suffered a serious blow.

"We leave here feeling bitter," said Messi following the Group B clash in Salvador. "In the second half we had our chances." One of the best of those fell to the 31-year-old Barcelona icon but he headed wide after Colombia's goalkeeper David Ospina got down quickly to push out a header from center-back Nicolas Otamendi.

But although Argentina dominated possession and created more chances in the second period, they rarely caused Ospina any serious concerns. "We didn't want to start this way, obviously, but now we have to lift our heads and keep going," said the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who lined up in an enviable forward trio with Manchester City's Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria of Paris Saint-Germain.

"In the first half we retreated a little and were holding on, but in the second we really opened up," said Messi, the Argentina captain. "Whenever you lose it's hard for us, we usually take it badly. Now we have to think about Paraguay."

Argentina can still make the knock-out stages with games against Paraguay and guests Qatar, the Asian champions, to come. Midfielder Leandro Paredes, who forced a diving save out of Ospina with one long range strike and sent a second whistling past the post, was pleased with the second half performance. "We created a lot but unfortunately they scored in our best period," he said.

Controlling Messi

Colombia were the better side in a goalless first half but scored twice against the run of play in the second period, with both goals coming from substitutes.

"I came on and helped my team. We did the best we could and we managed to turn the game around at the end of the second half. We played really well," said Zapata, who this season helped Italians Atalanta qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their history.

Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz, who only took over Colombia after leaving his job with Iran at the end of the January-February Asian Cup, paid tribute to the side's collective effort. "Colombia as a team was the best player on the pitch. We played with a lot of discipline, concentration, with responsibility, and players with the quality of James (Rodriguez) and (Radamel) Falcao helped us a lot in this organization," said Queiroz.

And he praised his team for "controlling Messi a bit," noting that "we're always talking about him and you cannot neutralize him." Both he and Argentina counterpart Lionel Scaloni agreed that each side had their moments during the game.

"In some moments we were on top, then they were superior to us -- that's how football goes, there are different stages in matches," said Scaloni. Colombia, though, are well placed to win the group now. "We're still a long way from where we want to go," warned Colombia's playmaker James Rodriguez.

Source: https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/argentina-0-2-colombia-lionel-16525432

Cc Lalasticlala
MissyB3
Fynestboi
Dominique
mynd44
Seun

This is what happens when you're a lion going to battle with sheep behind your back.

I pity Messi though.

I Really don't understand how a team of Argentina caliber will be struggling.

obembet:
Lionel Messi said his team was feeling bitter after Argentina lost their opening Copa America match 2-0 to Colombia despite dominating the second half. Goals from Roger Martinez and Duvan Zapata in the final 20 minutes gave Colombia their first tournament victory over Argentina in 20 years as Messi's hopes of finally landing a major international tournament after losing in four finals suffered a serious blow.

"We leave here feeling bitter," said Messi following the Group B clash in Salvador. "In the second half we had our chances." One of the best of those fell to the 31-year-old Barcelona icon but he headed wide after Colombia's goalkeeper David Ospina got down quickly to push out a header from center-back Nicolas Otamendi.

But although Argentina dominated possession and created more chances in the second period, they rarely caused Ospina any serious concerns. "We didn't want to start this way, obviously, but now we have to lift our heads and keep going," said the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who lined up in an enviable forward trio with Manchester City's Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria of Paris Saint-Germain.

"In the first half we retreated a little and were holding on, but in the second we really opened up," said Messi, the Argentina captain. "Whenever you lose it's hard for us, we usually take it badly. Now we have to think about Paraguay."

Argentina can still make the knock-out stages with games against Paraguay and guests Qatar, the Asian champions, to come. Midfielder Leandro Paredes, who forced a diving save out of Ospina with one long range strike and sent a second whistling past the post, was pleased with the second half performance. "We created a lot but unfortunately they scored in our best period," he said.

Controlling Messi

Colombia were the better side in a goalless first half but scored twice against the run of play in the second period, with both goals coming from substitutes.

"I came on and helped my team. We did the best we could and we managed to turn the game around at the end of the second half. We played really well," said Zapata, who this season helped Italians Atalanta qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their history.

Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz, who only took over Colombia after leaving his job with Iran at the end of the January-February Asian Cup, paid tribute to the side's collective effort. "Colombia as a team was the best player on the pitch. We played with a lot of discipline, concentration, with responsibility, and players with the quality of James (Rodriguez) and (Radamel) Falcao helped us a lot in this organization," said Queiroz.

And he praised his team for "controlling Messi a bit," noting that "we're always talking about him and you cannot neutralize him." Both he and Argentina counterpart Lionel Scaloni agreed that each side had their moments during the game.

"In some moments we were on top, then they were superior to us -- that's how football goes, there are different stages in matches," said Scaloni. Colombia, though, are well placed to win the group now. "We're still a long way from where we want to go," warned Colombia's playmaker James Rodriguez.

Source: https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/argentina-0-2-colombia-lionel-16525432

Cc Lalasticlala
MissyB3
Fynestboi
Dominique
mynd44
Seun

pls messi just retire

Expired GOAT

twhy111:
This is what happens when you're a lion going to battle with sheep behind your back.

I pity Messi though.

Portugal team are like chickens to Argentina sheep's, yet the GOAT takes the chicken to the promise land.

He needs Barcelona squad to deliver.

I am waiting for his shiiity fans to start with the blame game.



Blame all his teammates, coach, FA, ballboys except the Ewu Gambia

No be only bitter, na bitter kola

Messi should just retire from international football.

Lalasticlala

Na make paraguay just beat them remain and make qatar draw... Then the goat will be ready for "asunization".

Mybettingtips:
I am waiting for his shiiity fans to start with the blame game.



Blame all his teammates, coach, FA, ballboys except the Ewu Gambia

Your lots just want to troll... You're not worth engaging..You wonder why most footballers and pundits agree Messi is the best ever?? it's just a simple undeniable fact if you play or once played football..

Messi for Argentina is bad until he plays Super Eagle

twhy111:
This is what happens when you're a lion going to battle with sheep behind your back.

I pity Messi though.

Typical Messi fan, always playing the blame-shifting game. If the team fails, all team members ought to share the blame, don't be hypocritical

nepapole:
Na make paraguay just beat them remain and make qatar draw... Then the goat will be ready for "asunization".

naijalodge:
Messi for Argentina is bad until he plays Super Eagle

no play o

twhy111:
This is what happens when you're a lion going to battle with sheep behind your back.

I pity Messi though.

Nonsense talk...so di Maria, aguero , dybala, otamendi , Martinez of inter Milan na sheep??... In fact u just admitted that messi na sheep... Go and read foreign sports news and watch what they said...they say messi is actually Argentinas problem cos his game play doesn't fit in the coachs' ideology... But he can't bench messi cos people like u will insult his life if it goes wrong... Only if messi left Barca to another team with a different style of play, his game wud hv improved like cr7...or do u think cr7 left man u just for the cameras?? He left to upgrade his game ... Ronaldo is like an AK47 , very rugged and can adapt anywhere he finds himself

nepapole:
Na make paraguay just beat them remain and make qatar draw... Then the goat will be ready for "asunization".

Kai God.....

cr7lomo:


Nonsense talk...so di Maria, aguero , dybala, otamendi , Martinez of inter Milan na sheep??... In fact u just admitted that messi na sheep... Go and read foreign sports news and watch what they said...they say messi is actually Argentinas problem cos his game play doesn't fit in the coachs' ideology... But he can't bench messi cos people like u will insult his life if it goes wrong... Only if messi left Barca to another team with a different style of play, his game wud hv improved like cr7...or do u think cr7 left man u just for the cameras?? He left to upgrade his game ... Ronaldo is like an AK47 , very rugged and can adapt anywhere he finds himself

How can Messi be the problem cos his game don't fit coach plans? He has played under 3 coach in Barcelona, did they complain? Or you want to tell me they all played the same pattern or it is the coach that's not professional enough?

You asking Messi to leave Barcelona because Ronaldo left is absurd, is just like asking a student who always come top of his class every semester to change departments cos he's too good for other students.

Personality differs, he has carried that team on his shoulder more than any other argentine player, go and check the records.

Dybala11:

Typical Messi fan, always playing the blame-shifting game. If the team fails, all team members ought to share the blame, don't be hypocritical

And when a team succeed there shouldn't be anything like MVP, or player of the match, they should all get the awards as they all work for it.

I wonder some people analysis...the keep on calling this midget the greatest of all time while he's not even the greatest player in his Country and continent at large?? And how possible will he win the Balon D'or??

Cristiano Ronaldo fans, please gather here let's laff at this dwaft ..
Click for Oluwacristiano, Share Otherwise

cr7lomo:


Nonsense talk...so di Maria, aguero , dybala, otamendi , Martinez of inter Milan na sheep??... In fact u just admitted that messi na sheep... Go and read foreign sports news and watch what they said...they say messi is actually Argentinas problem cos his game play doesn't fit in the coachs' ideology... But he can't bench messi cos people like u will insult his life if it goes wrong... Only if messi left Barca to another team with a different style of play, his game wud hv improved like cr7...or do u think cr7 left man u just for the cameras?? He left to upgrade his game ... Ronaldo is like an AK47 , very rugged and can adapt anywhere he finds himself

I agree with you on this wan...they don't know football, only praising an expired goat

twhy111:


How can Messi be the problem cos his game don't fit coach plans? He has played under 3 coach in Barcelona, did they complain? Or you want to tell me they all played the same pattern or it is the coach that's not professional enough?

You asking Messi to leave Barcelona because Ronaldo left is absurd, is just like asking a student who always come top of his class every semester to change departments cos he's too good for other students.

Personality differs, he has carried that team on his shoulder more than any other argentine player, go and check the records.

Did u just said he carried the team on his shoulder more than any other Argentina player?? Where did he take them to To the middle of an ocean and sink them without being able to cross to the promise Land
I mean no insult, but this ur excuse is lame

twhy111:


How can Messi be the problem cos his game don't fit coach plans? He has played under 3 coach in Barcelona, did they complain? Or you want to tell me they all played the same pattern or it is the coach that's not professional enough?

You asking Messi to leave Barcelona because Ronaldo left is absurd, is just like asking a student who always come top of his class every semester to change departments cos he's too good for other students.

Personality differs, he has carried that team on his shoulder more than any other argentine player, go and check the records.

Barcelona has never changed their pattern...even with different coaches...they hv a style of play...every team does... U just don't change a teams ideology... Only a few do when it stops working... Argentina don't play tiki taka...they play wing play... Messi can only play tiki taka and that's y it's not working for Argentina, cos he is the centre man... Remove messi from the team and watch Argentina play good football... Some, some very good players just don't fit into some teams...that was y shevchenko could not shine in Chelsea or kaka at Madrid... This is the same reason messi is scared of leaving Barca

They push this thing to front page Na

Outside Barcelona someone is useless

That's why he refused to seek challenge in another league because he knows that he won't be able to cope

The mod on duty is a Barca fan

twhy111:


How can Messi be the problem cos his game don't fit coach plans? He has played under 3 coach in Barcelona, did they complain? Or you want to tell me they all played the same pattern or it is the coach that's not professional enough?

You asking Messi to leave Barcelona because Ronaldo left is absurd, is just like asking a student who always come top of his class every semester to change departments cos he's too good for other students.

Personality differs, he has carried that team on his shoulder more than any other argentine player, go and check the records.

Carried Argentina than any other player in history ..... batistuta still has the best goal scoring record in the history of Argentina... 54 goals in 77 games with one copa America and confederation cup to his credit... Messi 67 in 131 games... Clearly shows that batigoal has a better goal ratio....

cr7lomo:


Barcelona has never changed their pattern...even with different coaches...they hv a style of play...every team does... U just don't change a teams ideology... Only a few do when it stops working... Argentina don't play tiki taka...they play wing play... Messi can only play tiki taka and that's y it's not working for Argentina, cos he is the centre man... Remove messi from the team and watch Argentina play good football... Some, some very good players just don't fit into some teams...that was y shevchenko could not shine in Chelsea or kaka at Madrid... This is the same reason messi is scared of leaving Barca

Wawu!! I remembered this same Messi led the argentine team to the world cup final, did they play tiki-taka that year? What has changed?

And will you stop comparing Messi to Shevchenko and and kaka in the name of English football?
He has played against English opposition and single handedly demolished them.
I remembered how he devoured the likes of Manu, arsenal, even Liverpool with his mesmerizing goals.

cr7lomo:


Carried Argentina than any other player in history ..... batistuta still has the best goal scoring record in the history of Argentina... 54 goals in 77 games with one copa America and confederation cup to his credit... Messi 67 in 131 games... Clearly shows that batigoal has a better goal ratio....

So here we are comparing Messi and batistuta.
It a crime to do that please, he's still their all time leading goalscorer and that's says a lot about him.

twhy111:


So here we are comparing Messi and batistuta.
It a crime to do that please, he's still their all time leading goalscorer and that's says a lot about him.

All time leading scorer with nothing to show for it ... Let me tell u something...b4 Ronaldos era, Portugal had only qualified for the WC on 3 times in their history... They had never even had a bk to bk WC qualification ...but since Ronaldo joined that team, it's been 4 consecutive WCs ... That's when u say one player carried the nation... Don't forget that he is the only player in Portugal that has played in 4WCs... Only scored in them all... Portugal had never played a final in their history until Ronaldo joined that team ... Played 3 finals...

twhy111:


Wawu!! I remembered this same Messi led the argentine team to the world cup final, did they play tiki-taka that year? What has changed?

And will you stop comparing Messi to Shevchenko and and kaka in the name of English football?
He has played against English opposition and single handedly demolished them.
I remembered how he devoured the likes of Manu, arsenal, even Liverpool with his mesmerizing goals.

U are still confused... His team is Barcelona and that's y he scored those English teams ...y can't u think properly... I am saying if he joins another league and tem with a different pattern, it will b a huge problem for him ... Playing with Barca against English oppositions is different from playing with say Bayern Munich , chelsea, juventus or psg against the same English oppositions... If Barcelona played Colombia last night, messi will shine and score...now this is the reason we say CR7 is better because he shines in every team ... Scored a hat trick against atletico in real Madrid , still scored a hat trick against the same team when he switched to juve... That's how u know the greatest and most versatile... Still scored a hat trick against the swizz in the semi finals for Portugal

SMH this current Argentina squad just weak person.

I like Messi but cr7 with the action. Thank yiu