Lionel Messi urges Argentina to beat Colombia after Bolivia draw
Argentina attacker Lionel Messi has signalled the importance of Tuesday's World Cup 2014 qualifier against Colombia after his side were held to a 1-1 draw by Bolivia.
A Marcelo Moreno strike 11 minutes into the second half put Bolivia ahead in the game, but Ezequiel Lavezzi responded just four minutes later with a goal of his own to make sure the two sides shared the spoils at the Estadio Monumental.
The result puts Argentina second in the table, but with just four points from three games, and Messi believes it will be crucial to put an end to the two-game winless streak on Tuesday, against Colombia.
"Another match is coming up quickly, we know it will be very hard, just like every match away from home," Messi told a post-match press conferece.
"But this time we cannot fail, we have to win no matter what, after what happened against Bolivia."
The Barcelona ace noted that Bolivia's goal came against the run of play and stated his side are looking for some much-needed stability.
"We had chances to score more than a goal, but we were not lucky," Messi added. "Out of the blue, Bolivia scored the first goal and things got more complicated.
"What we want the most is to play well and win, specially at home, so that everything gets easier and we can work calmly.
"The draw makes everything harder, the days left to prepare for the match against Colombia will be hard to work."
The 24-year-old was also critical of the work of referee Carlos Vera, who denied Gonzalo Higuain a clear goal in the first half by signalling a free-kick for Argentina when they had the clear advantage.
"Higuain's goal would have changed the match, I did not know why the referee did not allow the play to continue," Messi explained.
"He damaged us at that point, the goal would change the approach of Bolivia, who were playing on the counter.
"The referee surprised us all, Higuain was alone, the goal would have changed everything." [Goal.com]
The result puts Argentina second in the table, but with just four points from three games, and Messi believes it will be crucial to put an end to the two-game winless streak on Tuesday, against Colombia.
"Another match is coming up quickly, we know it will be very hard, just like every match away from home," Messi told a post-match press conferece.
"But this time we cannot fail, we have to win no matter what, after what happened against Bolivia."
The Barcelona ace noted that Bolivia's goal came against the run of play and stated his side are looking for some much-needed stability.
"We had chances to score more than a goal, but we were not lucky," Messi added. "Out of the blue, Bolivia scored the first goal and things got more complicated.
"What we want the most is to play well and win, specially at home, so that everything gets easier and we can work calmly.
"The draw makes everything harder, the days left to prepare for the match against Colombia will be hard to work."
The 24-year-old was also critical of the work of referee Carlos Vera, who denied Gonzalo Higuain a clear goal in the first half by signalling a free-kick for Argentina when they had the clear advantage.
"Higuain's goal would have changed the match, I did not know why the referee did not allow the play to continue," Messi explained.
"He damaged us at that point, the goal would change the approach of Bolivia, who were playing on the counter.
"The referee surprised us all, Higuain was alone, the goal would have changed everything." [Goal.com]