Lionel Messi has sent his support to the victims of the earthquakes in Venezuela following Argentina’s 3-2 win over Cabo Verde in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 on Friday.
Two earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck northern Venezuela on June 24, lasting approximately 40 seconds. The next day of the calamity, more than 150 deaths were recorded. According to the BBC on Thursday, more than 2,500 people have been confirmed to have lost their lives in the Earthquakes.
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Addressing the people who have lost their families, homes and are currently suffering from the distress of the natural disaster, Lionel Messi said (X/@TouchlineX):
“I want to send a very big message to all the people in Venezuela; we know the terrible disgrace they’re currently living.”
“I want to send support to all those people who are suffering a lot, those people who can’t find their loved ones and have a lot of uncertainty of not knowing what happened or what will happen. Much strength to all of them from here,” he added.
To pay tribute to the survivors and those who lost their lives in the earthquakes, FIFA held a moment of silence ahead of Matchweek 3 games. Football players Lucas Trejo and Hector Bello also lost their family members in the earthquakes.
Lionel Messi lauds Cabo Verde after Round of 32 triumph
Lionel Messi lauded Cabo Verde for their performance in the FIFA World Cup after the Blue Sharks were eliminated following their last 3-2 loss to Argentina. Cabo Verde scripted history by becoming the smallest nation to ever qualify for the knockout round of the World Cup.
Facing Argentina in the round of 32, the Blue Sharks gave tough competition to the defending champions. Lionel Messi broke the deadlock in the 29th minute. Deroy Duarte later scored the equaliser in the 59th minute, forcing the game into extra time.
Lisandro Martínez gave Argentina an early lead in the extra time (92′), but Sidny Cabral equalised in the 103rd minute. The game ended 3-2, courtesy of an own goal by Diney Borges off Cristian Romero’s header (111′).
After the game, Lionel Messi stated that the Blue Sharks relied on their strengths and made the game complex for La Albiceleste. He said (via ESPN):
“We knew it was going to be a very tough match; this team hadn’t lost to Spain and Uruguay for a reason. We did the hardest part, which was finding the first goal.”
“We thought that from then on, we would start to find our game and be more relaxed, but it was the complete opposite. We lost the ball, we sat back, we couldn’t pressure them well, they struck with their strengths.”
Next up, Argentina will face Egypt in the round of 16 on Tuesday, July 7, at the Atlanta Stadium in Georgia.
Edited by Nived Zenith
