Lionel Messi has hit back at critics questioning Argentina’s run to the FIFA World Cup final, insisting the defending champions have earned everything through their performances and not because of favourable officiating or outside influence.Argentina came from 1-0 down after the 85th minute to beat England 2-1 in Wednesday’s semifinal and book a place in the final, where they will face Spain on Sunday.The win sparked celebrations across Buenos Aires, with thousands of fans filling the streets as Argentina moved within one victory of winning back-to-back World Cups.It was also another comeback in a tournament where Lionel Scaloni’s side have repeatedly found a way back into matches. Argentina had earlier beaten Cape Verde and Switzerland in extra time and recovered from 2-0 down with 11 minutes left to defeat Egypt 3-2.Those victories, however, have also brought criticism. Coaches from Switzerland and Egypt questioned refereeing decisions after their defeats. Egypt coach Hossam Hassan even claimed his side had been on the wrong end of a football establishment that favoured Messi and Argentina.The complaints added to criticism from some fans, who argued that the World Cup bracket benefited Argentina, while unfounded claims circulated on social media suggesting FIFA wanted the defending champions to retain the title.Messi rejected those suggestions after the win over England.“We’ve been the best over these past four years, either you like it or not, and no matter what anyone says,” Messi said after the win over England.“Once again, we’ve established ourselves among the top two teams in the world. That proves that everything we’ve done is no fluke and that nothing was handed to us.”Until now, Argentina had largely stayed away from responding to the favouritism allegations. Coach Lionel Scaloni had earlier advised journalists “not to consume so much social media” when asked about the issue during previous press conferences.But after reaching another World Cup final, the reigning champions decided to respond.“Reaching two consecutive World Cup finals is something very few achieve, and this group did it,” Messi said. “If we had lost to England, there would have been people coming out to spout some nonsense, but we didn’t give them the chance.”The semifinal against England also revived one of football’s longest-running rivalries, one shaped not only by the sport but also by the dispute over the Falkland Islands, known as the Malvinas in Argentina.On Thursday, the British government urged FIFA to investigate Argentina after players celebrated the win by posing with a banner handed to them by supporters reading, “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” — “The Malvinas are Argentine.”Midfielder Enzo Fernandez admitted that his celebration after scoring Argentina’s equaliser carried a message for those criticising the team.The Chelsea player first cupped his hands to his ears before repeatedly opening and closing his fingers, a gesture widely seen in football as telling critics to keep talking.“There was a lot of talk; it was a mix of euphoria and frustration,” Fernandez said.
