Messi and Argentina stars all say same thing about motive behind England win

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Lionel Messi, Lisandro Martinez and Leandro Paredes have all admitted they used history and political tensions to find an extra gear to beat England.

The World Cup holders posed with a flag which read 'The Falklands are Argentinian' after they came from behind to eliminate the Three Lions and reach Sunday's final where they will face

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After providing two assists for Enzo Fernandez and sub Lautaro Martinez, Messi revealed that he used the raw fan emotion - due the past - to drag La Albiceleste over the line: "Everything we experienced was incredible, from the very beginning, as we said.

"Although it was a football match, when we started to enter the field and during the anthem, we experienced special feelings, and the group felt that.

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It wasn't just another victory; it was an important victory that the Argentine people wanted, and we wanted it too, and it put us in another World Cup final."

Manchester United

defender Martinez also felt similarly, explaining: “I won’t lie to you, we’re all Argentinians and we experienced it like the fans. We knew the magnitude of this game and went for it from the first minute.

"We had to suffer because they’re a very tough opponent, but in the end, we’re always the ones who take the initiative, the ones who play without fear, and the ones who want to win."

Meanwhile, Paredes appeared to pay tribute to those that lost their lives in the Falklands war, stating: “We are aware of what England means to this country, to us, and to history, because of that sad moment the people experienced and who are surely very happy today."

England led on 55 minutes through Anthony Gordon before dropping deep and trying to protect their 1-0 lead. Unfortunately for Thomas Tuchel his defensive changes did not pay dividends and only enabled Messi to work his magic as he first teed up Fernandez for a stunner before crossing for Inter Milan frontman Martinez.

He continued, revelling in Argentina's glory: "This group doesn't surprise me. I know and we know what we were capable of.

"People had doubts about how we arrived, because we had players who were very much at their limit and with problems, but when this group comes together and is united, it always gives an extra boost, they inspire each other and bring out what they didn't have to give their all."