Cristian Romero spoke about the Argentina team at the World Cup, the loss vs. Saudi Arabia, the quarter final match and the rest days.

Romero started Argentina’s 2-1 win vs. Australia in the Round of 16 and have a very good match. Speaking in an interview with TyC Sports, here is what he had to say about the match:

“It’s a huge joy because unfortunately, we ended up suffering. They were eliminated, they had to go out, try and get the game, they got a rebound from Enzo in the only clear shot they had. After that, one which Dibu saved. But we showed character, play and personality. I’m very happy for this group because anything can happen. But we keep showing that we are going to leave every last drop of sweat.”

Regarding the loss vs. Saudi Arabia:

“No one expected it but it served to make us stronger mentally, to go out and play each match as a final. It’s a World Cup, all the teams come with one objective but it served us in the following games to take each one as a final.”

In regards to the match vs. the Netherlands in the quarter finals:

“A very difficult opponent. We all know the kind of players they have. Now we have to enjoy it for an hour or two and already today we will be thinking about how we will play the Netherlands. We are 26 warriors, everyone is ready and the coach will decie the eleven that play but we are going to leave our lives as we always do.”

About the short rest days between matches:

“We have a fairly young group, beyond the three warriors who are our spirits. We are young and we are going to leave our lives if we play tomorrow or the day after. The day that arrives, we will be prepared.”

Rodrigo De Paul spoke about the Argentina national team at the World Cup, Emiliano Martinez and the fans.

De Paul has started every match for Argentina at the World Cup and has gotten better every match. Speaking in an interview with TyC Sports after the Round of 16 match vs. Australia, here is what he had to say:

“It’s a pity that they scored against us but I think that we played the same way as always and created many chances. We know that in the World Cup, all the matches are like that. It’s all very even and we knew that today was going to be very difficult but I think we did very well.”

Regarding the save by Emiliano Martínez:

“It was a great shot. We know that to be able to do big things, we need a great goalkeeper and I think we have the best one.”

In regards to the support from the fans:

“I think it’s mutual. We get it from the people and they get it from us. We are Argentines, we were on the other side and we always remain fans. Life gave us this beautiful chance to defend these colors.

On his performances:

“I still haven’t started to analyze it but I felt very comfortable, I believe I’m still growing and I’m confident. Physically, I feel very well and that gives me a lot of pleasure and peace of mind for the future, as long as I can help my team mates.”

Alejandro Papu Gómez spoke about the Argentina national team and his injury.

Papu Gómez started Argentina’s 2-1 win vs. Australia in the Round of 16 but was substituted early in the second half. Speaking in an interview with TyC Sports, he stated that he got injured. Here is what he had to say:

“I twisted my ankle and couldn’t go on much longer. I preferred that someone else that’s better than me comes in. It’s a sprain, there are several days left to recover and everything will be fine.”

Gómez also spoke about the win and the World Cup:

“When you don’t finish off a game, a goal out of no where can complicate it for you. We all know that a 2-0 is a complicated result. We could have scored several goals after but the important thing is that we won, we ended up suffering but we are Argentina, you always have to suffer.

“We are meeting the objectives that we set out for ourselves. I see the team firm and the player who enters, does well. The player who enters off the bench maybe even helps more than the one who starts. The group is very strong. The first game may have been good for us because it was a warning sign. It woke us up and we improved things that we were doing wrong.”

Lionel Messi was named as the Player of the Match as he scored for Argentina in their 2-1 win vs. Australia and spoke to the media.

Messi scored the first goal of the match and could have had a few assists as he was named Player of the Match. Speaking to the media after the match, here is what he had to say:

“It was a controlled match. Putting aside the last one (save) by Dibu (Martínez), we didn’t suffer too much.

“It was a very physical match. Very happy for this win and to take another step.”

Lionel Messi and Julián Álvarez scored for Argentina in their 2-1 win vs. Australia.

Argentina are in the quarter finals of the World Cup. It was a match in which Argentina didn’t create too many chances in the first half but still managed to score.

Messi took a free kick and in the play, the ball fell to Nicolás Otamendi who passed it to Lionel Messi as he scored to give Argentina the 1-0 lead. That was Messi’s first goal in the knockout stages of a World Cup.

The second half started with Argentina in control. Constant pressure by Julián Álvarez paid off.

Australia had the ball in their penalty area as both Álvarez and Rodrigo De Paul pressured the goalkeeper. Argentina would win the ball and Alvarez would score to double Argentina’s lead.

With the clean sheet intact, an effort on goal which was going high and wide by Australia took a deflection off Enzo Fernández and beat Emiliano Martínez. Australia started attacking and Argentina started to get more chances.

Lionel Messi played what was probably the best performance of anyone at this World Cup. A great run down the middle and another one which he passed it to Lautaro Martínez but Lautaro’s effort would go high and wide.

In what was one of the last attacks of the game, Australia had an effort on goal from inside the penalty area but Emiliano Martínez made the save and sent Argentina to the quarter finals of the World Cup.