Lionel Messi breaks silence on Argentina's World Cup final defeat to Spain

Lionel Messi has broken his silence on Argentina's World Cup final defeat to Spain.

The legendary forward was runner-up with his nation for the second time at the MetLife Stadium, losing 1-0 again in a repeat of 2014.

Messi was non-existent in the final, with just over 50 touches, none in Spain's penalty area, and no shot on target after over two hours of football.

The Argentine wrote: "The pain is so great and it's going to be hard for me to close this wound.

TRENDING

Stories

Videos

Your Say

"But I'll keep all the good stuff too. With the matches we turned leaving everything, and that will remain forever in the memory, with the support of an entire country that together with the work and effort of this group led us to be, once again, among the best in the world.

"Today it's hard to evaluate what we did, but this group reached two consecutive World Cup finals.

"Thank you very much from the heart for every greeting and for every message.

"Once again we managed to unite as a country and be all together, sharing the immense pride of being Argentinian.

LATEST SPORT NEWS

• England legend and manager Kevin Keegan dies aged 75 after cancer battle as tributes flood in
• Argentina boss storms out of press conference in tears after questions over future
• Cristian Romero appears to snub Donald Trump during awkward World Cup final medal ceremony

"I also want to congratulate Spain for the championship."

Spain dominated proceedings against Argentina yesterday, who did well to force the game into extra time.

They had to play that period with 10 men after a horrendous challenge from Enzo Fernandez on Pau Cubarsi.

The midfielder went flying in on the Spanish defender while on a yellow card, causing the defender to do a front flip, with a second yellow quickly dished out.

Emi Martinez produced several stunning saves throughout the contest and in extra time, but the deadlock was broken in the 106th minute.

A whipped-in delivery to Argentina's far post was headed back brilliantly by Nico Williams to the oncoming Ferran Torres.

The Barcelona forward smashed home with his left foot, reminiscent of Andreas Iniesta in 2010, to win the World Cup.

Tempers flared after the game, with Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina involved in several physical altercations.

The match-winner Torres said "destiny was written" after scoring the winning goal.

He said: "I think in the end the goal came from 47 million people [approximately the population of Spain], not just those of us that are here.

"Today destiny was written, it was made for us to win. We're far from our people today, but we tried to be as close as possible to them.

"Finals are hard. When you have Messi on the opposing team, you do get worried, but we always backed ourselves and tried to show our football, and I think we managed to do it once again."

Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter