It Hurts Me To Have Missed The Penalty – Messi

Lionel Messi said he was responsible for Argentina failing to beat Iceland after he could not convert a penalty in the 1-1 draw which “would have changed everything.”

After Sergio Aguero put Argentina ahead and Alfred Finnbogason equalised, Messi had a chance to restore Argentina’s lead in the 64th minute, but his penalty to Hannes Halldorsson’s right was at a good height for the goalkeeper to save without too much difficulty.

And the 30-year-old, who said this week that Argentina’s results in this tournament would decide if he he comes back to play in 2022, took the blame after Argentina settled for one point.

“It hurts me to have missed the penalty, because it was the decisive advantage,” Messi said. “I feel responsible for not having been able to take the three points. I have no doubt that a goal from the penalty kick would have changed everything.”

Argentina have games to come in Group D against Croatia and Nigeria, and Messi was confident that the result would doom their chances of advancing.

“We have not lost our hopes despite the draw, we still have the same desire,” he said. “I think we deserved the victory. We worked hard trying to find spaces in the Icelandic defense, but we couldn’t do it.

“This result doesn’t have to weigh on us looking forward. We have a few days to rest and to prepare the next match.”