Lionel Messi has responded to claims that Argentina is shown favouritism by FIFA after their World Cup semi-final win over England.

In an intense semi-final in Atlanta, England took the lead through Anthony Gordon in the 55th minute, but a second-half collapse from Thomas Tuchel’s side led to an Enzo Fernández equaliser before Lautaro Martínez sealed Argentina’s 2-1 victory in the second minute of injury time.

As he has done throughout the entire tournament, Lionel Messi played a key role in the win, providing both assists to secure Argentina’s second successive World Cup final.

messi
Lionel Messi. Pic: Buda Mendes/Getty Images

Messi and Argentina have both been accused of receiving favourable decisions from referees throughout the World Cup, with Egypt lodging an official complaint to FIFA over the officiating in their 3-2 loss to the holders in the Round of 16.

However, Messi is adamant that Argentina have not received any favourable decisions on their way to reaching their second successive World Cup final.

‘Let people keep enjoying it,’ he said. ‘What this group has achieved is incredible. We’ve come back to be world champions; we’re the best in the world after these four years, whether people like it or not and no matter what they say.’

GettyImages 2286274156 e1784189309840 2
Lionel Messi. Pic: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

‘This proves that what we did wasn’t by chance and that nobody gave us anything. Reaching two World Cup finals is something few achieve, and this group did it. This group doesn’t surprise me. I know, and we knew what we were capable of.

‘People out there had doubts, but when this group comes together and is united, it finds what it doesn’t have to give its all. We are proud and happy to be able to give this to the people of Argentina. We know that the World Cups are special for us.

‘We forget all the bad things we have to go through; some people have a hard time, who don’t have a job, who don’t make ends meet. It’s our life- what we’ve always had to deal with. It’s beautiful to be able to give this joy to them.’