LA PLATA: Lionel Messi spoke the words all Argentina wanted to hear when, after a 2-0 win over Slovenia in La Plata, he expressed his confidence in bringing home the World Cup.

The Barcelona forward had scored Argentina’s clinching second goal in the 76th minute after a 12th-minute opener from Ricardo Alvarez.

He said: “Now we have reached our hour of truth. I believe that we have prepared very well for the World Cup and we have reached the standard the coach [Alejandro Sabella] wants.

“We have done well in this friendly match and we want our fans to be confident that we can come home as champions. It’s a dream we all have. We know that this will be a difficult World Cup and anything can happen but we will go for it.”

Messi, who entered the game as a 57th-minute substitute, after a move involving Angel Di Maria and Sergio Aguero.

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