After Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Canada, securing their place in the Copa America final, Messi addressed the “lucky goal” in the mixed zone, telling TYC Sports that he didn’t intentionally steal Enzo’s credit, but rather wanted to avoid the risk of the goalkeeper saving the ball.
In the 51st minute, Messi initiated an attack from the right flank, Argentina’s pass was blocked, and Enzo took a low shot from near the edge of the box. Messi nudged the ball in front of the goal, causing a slight deflection that resulted in the goal. Some fans called it “stealing credit” or a “lucky goal.” Messi’s touch also sparked debate over whether he was offside, and after a VAR review, the goal was confirmed. However, many on social media still believe there was a potential offside.
In the mixed zone, Messi stated: “I told Enzo that I wasn’t trying to take his goal, I just saw the keeper was down, and the ball was coming slowly, so I just gave it a little touch.”
Would the goalkeeper have gotten to the ball if Messi hadn’t touched it? Interestingly, Enzo himself, in the mixed zone, showed no annoyance that the goal wasn’t credited to him. Instead, he believes the goal wouldn’t have happened without Messi’s touch: “Thank God Messi touched the ball and sent it into the net!”
This goal marked Messi’s scoring streak in six Copa America tournaments. He became the first player to achieve this since Brazilian player Zizinho in the 1940s and 1950s.
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