Don't Consider Enteng Australia, Argentina's Opponent In The Round Of 16 Of The 2022 World Cup, Messi: Will Be Hard

Lionel Messi (Instagram @seleccion)

JAKARTA - Lionel Messi commented on the 2022 World Cup last 16 match between Argentina and Australia which will be held on Sunday night.

Albiceleste qualified for the knockout stages after defeating Poland in the match to decide Group C, Thursday night. Lionel Scaloni's team holds the status of group winners after pocketing 6 points as a result of two wins and one defeat.

In the round of 16, Teamteen will face Group D runners-up Australia who successfully beat Denmark 1-0 in the final match of their group determination.

"It will be very difficult. Anyone can beat anyone. Everything is very balanced. We have to train for that game in the best way we've always done," Messi was quoted as saying by Marca, Friday.

"We have to be calm and have a game after game. Now, the other World Cups are starting and hopefully we can keep what we've been doing so far."

La Pulga also talked about the penalty he failed to execute against Poland when the position was still a goalless draw.

Albiceleste won 2-0 through a goal scored by Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez in the second half. In the first half, La Pulga should have been able to put Argentina ahead after the referee pointed to the spot after goalkeeper Wojciech Szcz

However, the Paris Saint-Germain star failed to beat Juventus goalkeeper.

"I was angry that I missed a penalty but I think the team came stronger after my mistake," Messi said after the game.

"We know that once the first goal comes in, it will change the game," added the Argentine star who outperformed Diego Armando Maradona for the World Cup performances with the national team.