Argentina assistant coach Pablo Aimar bursts into TEARS following Lionel Messi’s opening goal during their must-win clash against Mexico
Argentina assistant coach Pablo Aimar broke down in tears following Lionel Messi’s goal in the 64th minute against Mexico.
La Albiceleste would go on to win the game 2-0 following a second goal from Enzo Fernandez from an amazing strike from the left side of the box in the 87th minute.
Aimar’s reaction highlighted just how emotional of a moment it was for an Argentinian team that was playing with their backs against the wall.
Argentina assistant coach Pablo Aimar broke down in tears following Lionel Messi’s goal
Messi celebrates after scoring against Mexico to clinch Argentina’s first win at the World Cup
Following the stunning upset in their opening game to Saudi Arabia, Argentina would have been eliminated from having a chance to advance to the knockout stage of the tournament.
More importantly it is in all likely the last World Cup for the country’s legendary all-time cap leader and goal scorer Messi, who has never won a World Cup in his historic career.
The pressure to keep the dream storyline alive was clearly beginning to weigh on certain members of the Argentine camp.
With emotions running high, Aimar, sat on the Argentina bench, appeared to burst into tears the moment the ball hit the net, the relief clear on his face.
Following the game, Messi also expressed relief of his own as he revealed the win was a ‘weight lifted off his shoulders.’
Lionel Messi led Argentina to their first victory at the World Cup as they beat Mexico 2-0
After the match, the Argentine maestro admitted it was a relief to have secured a victory
‘It´s a weight off our shoulders,’ Messi said. ‘It gives us joy and peace of mind to start again.’
‘We lived with discomfort and kept the defeat in the opening match in our minds,’ Messi said. ‘The days were very long.
‘We were eager to have the chance to turn the situation around and luckily we won.’
Argentina is second in Group C ahead of its last match against first-place Poland on Wednesday and might need to win it to advance.
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni urged fans and players to remember it is just a football game
‘We can´t let our guard down now,’ Messi said. ‘All of our matches are finals now. We can´t mess up.’
Messi now sits on eight World Cup goals which ties him with fellow Argentine legend the late Diego Maradona, as well as longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
For some, Messi needs to win the World Cup – the only major title missing from his collection – to join the ranks of Pele and Maradona as soccer´s greatest ever players. Thanks to this win, it could still happen.
‘We already know for many years he is the world’s best player,’ Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. ‘Messi should enjoy this World Cup. All fans enjoy seeing him play.’
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