FIFA World Cup 2014: Sabella rues missed Argentina chances, says Messi already a great player
14 July 2014 10:25 AM IST
Messi and Higuain miss opportunities to score goals in each half
FIFA World Cup 2014: Argentina's head coach Alejandro Sabella, left, comforts Lionel Messi after the World Cup final soccer match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Photo: AP)
Rio DE Janeiro: Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella was left ruing his side's failure to take their chances after the South Americans' World Cup final defeat to Germany here Sunday.
Gonzalo Higuain missed a glorious first half chance to put Argentina 1-0 ahead while Lionel Messi also squandered a good opening in the second half. Instead Germany, who controlled possession, struck an extra-time winner through Mario Goetze.
"It was a very balanced game," Sabella said. "They had more possesion, but we had more cutting edge, more chances."When there are chances in a game that is so evenly balanced you have to take them. We lacked a bit of efficiency."Sabella meanwhile praised his players for recovering from a gruelling semi-final to take Germany all the way to the wire."We played a day later and extra time and the only thing I can do is congratulate my players," he said. "The work they did was extraordinary and also congratulate Germany."
Lionel Messi's failure to win the World Cup with Argentina on Sunday does not affect his status as an all-time great, according to coach Alejandro Sabella.
Messi was bidding to emulate his compatriot Diego Maradona by inspiring Argentina to victory in the final in Rio de Janeiro, but instead the four-time world footballer of the year finished on the losing side as Germany prevailed 1-0.
The 27-year-old Barcelona superstar squandered a glorious chance early in the second half when he shot wide with only goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to beat, but Sabella said that his captain had nothing to prove.
"It is a very demanding tournament and it is drains everyone physically. He is already among the greatest of all time," Sabella said.
Despite Argentina's defeat, Messi was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's outstanding player, and Sabella felt he was a worthy recipient.
Despite Argentina's defeat, Messi was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's outstanding player, and Sabella felt he was a worthy recipient.
"I think yes he deserved it, because he played a great World Cup," said the Argentina coach.
"He was a fundamental factor for where we ended up. It was thoroughly deserved."
"He was a fundamental factor for where we ended up. It was thoroughly deserved."
Messi scored four goals in the group phase, including a fine solo goal against Bosnia-Hersegovina and a stunning injury-time winner against Iran, but he failed to find the net in the knockout stage.
( Source : AFP )
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