XtraTime Web Desk: The football fans across the globe were eagerly waiting to listen how Argentina captain Lionel Messi reacts after yet another disappointing campaign in an international tournament. Taking everyone into surprise, Messi blasted at the referees after the team’s 2-0 loss to Brazil in the Copa America semifinals.
Brazil advanced to the final over their archrivals in a feisty, physical match at Belo Horizonte’s Minerao stadium with goals from Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino. The hosts will face either Peru or Chile in Sunday’s final at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
While the tournament has been plagued by lengthy stoppages for the video assistant referee (VAR), Ecuadoran referee Roddy Zambrano preferred to let the game run, which incensed Argentina when VAR did not come into play on several occasions.
“[The officials] were tired of making bulls— calls at this Copa and they didn’t go to VAR. It was unbelievable,” Messi said after the loss.
“It was like that all match. It was bulls— that they were doing it all match. There is no excuse — it must be looked into. Hopefully, CONMEBOL does something about these kind of referees.
“Because we did everything to try and advance but [the officials] stacked the deck against us. I don’t believe they will do anything because Brazil controls everything, so it is very complicated. But I don’t think we should feel bad for anything. It didn’t happen and we had bad luck.”
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Messi, who still has not won a major title with Argentina, was more influential than in his first few matches here but was still a pale shadow of the player who had won everything with his club Barcelona.
“I’m upset because we had a great match, a great effort,” the man from Rosario said. “It wasn’t for it to finish in that way, because they weren’t the better team.”