The Argentina coach, Lionel Scaloni, was very satisfied this Friday with his team’s passage to the semifinals of the World Cup in Qatar, after beating the Netherlands on penalties, at the same time that he recognized Leo Messi as “the best of all the times”.
“Today Messi showed that he is the best of all time,” said the Argentine coach at a press conference after the game, after the ’10’ was again key for his team, after assisting the first goal and scoring the second.
In addition, the coach analyzed the game and pointed out that his team did not deserve to go to penalties. “This team has the spirit to be able to face the situation at all times. From my point of view, we didn’t deserve to go to penalties, but even so the team continued to show its face,” he said.
“We had the game under control, but football has this, even when you think everything is over. This team has youth and pride. It’s essential to never give up. We knew that in extra time, playing our football, we could change the result “, he expressed.
Thus, the Argentine praised the game of his team and highlighted the “character” of his team. “We always thought of attacking, regardless of what they proposed. The game was so short that it was difficult for us, especially in the second half. However, we are satisfied. We have already shown many signs of character in this World Cup. This team shows the different facets that the game requires at all times”, he added.
Regarding the penalty shootout, Scaloni assured that all the players wanted to shoot one and that he was confident that ‘Dibu’ “could save some”. “I had plenty of performers, with the desire that everyone had to kick the penalties. That is very positive for the group. We knew that Emiliano could save some,” he said.
Finally, the team wanted to dedicate the victory to the former Argentine coach, Alejandro Sabella, who died in 2020. “Yesterday we remembered Alejandro. I hope he is proud of what this group did. Obviously playing seven games was a goal, but now we want to win, beyond respect for the rival”, he concluded.
