Messi: 'Nothing was handed to us'

In previous news conferences, coach Lionel Scaloni had even advised journalists asking about the matter "not to consume so much social media".

But after the victory over England, the reigning champions fought back.

"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."

Wednesday's semifinal was the latest chapter in a long-running feud that has transcended the field to encompass British control over the disputed Falkland Islands, which Argentina calls Las Malvinas and claims as its sovereign territory.