Concepcion, July 2 (IANS) Lionel Messi asserted that he is not concerned by failing to get among the goals for Argentina as they thrashed Paraguay 6-1 in the Copa America semi-final on Tuesday.
The Albiceleste captain was an influential figure for Gerardo Martino’s men in Concepción, supplying three assists and earning the Man of the Match award.
He failed to find the net during the comprehensive victory over La Albirroja at the Estadio Ester Roa but insisted that the team’s impeccable display more than made up for it.
“I am not too worried that I did not score any goals. We played a complete game,” Messi told reporters after the match on Tuesday.
“We did what we were doing in the previous matches. We follow the same idea.
“We fulfilled the first objective of being in another final. We are very excited that we can be champions.”
The victory set up a date with hosts Chile in the final at the Estadio Nacional on July 4. Messi – who has scored just one goal so far at Copa America 2015 – is predicting a tight encounter and revealed his eagerness to get his hands on a trophy with Argentina.
“It is a final and I am hopeful. It will be a close game,” he added.
“Winning the Copa would round off something spectacular. I really want to win something with the national team.”
Despite the manner of their semi-final win, Javier Mascherano does not feel that they will have the upper hand on La Roja in Santiago on Saturday.
“Now we are not going back. We will continue to play our way,” he said.
“We are going to play a final, not a war. We are brotherly countries.
“I do not see a clear favourite in the final. Whoever does the best things will be the winner.”
