Argentina’s head coach Lionel Scaloni seems to be on after shedding the 2026 World Cup soccer match remaining match between Spain and Argentina on the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on July 19, 2026. — AFP
EAST RUTHERFORD: Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni admitted Spain have been the higher crew following his crew’s 1-0 extra-time defeat within the 2026 World Cup remaining on Sunday.
Substitute Ferran Torres scored within the second interval of extra-time as Spain lastly broke down 10-man Argentina to win 1-0 on the MetLife Stadium.
The South American champions, led by Lionel Messi, had been searching for to turn out to be the primary crew since 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups.
“They were the better side — that’s the truth — but I’ll cherish the memory of them (his team), of what they achieved, and of the value of making it this far,” mentioned Scaloni, who later broke down in tears at his post-game press convention.
“We have to place immense value on this because it takes so much effort.”
Scaloni, who needed to break up an unsightly skirmish after the ultimate whistle that concerned Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes, mentioned his crew should settle for defeat with the identical grace they’d proven when celebrating latest successes.
“We are gracious in victory, and we must be gracious in defeat. Today, we are showing that we know how to lose,” he mentioned. “We lost the match and we accept it, but that doesn’t mean we stop living or forget everything we did to get here.”
He thanked the followers for his or her unbelievable help all through the 2026 match in Canada, Mexico and the USA.
“To the people, my players, and the country, I want to say that we gave it our all,” he mentioned.
“We arrived here facing a realistic situation, but if the players leave everything on the pitch, as they did today, it sets a great example for our people and our country.
“We have now to choose ourselves up once more, there is no such thing as a different manner,” he added.
Scaloni, 48, said Argentina’s achievement in reaching a second successive final should be appreciated.
“I definitely worth the runners-up spot as a result of it takes a lot to get right here, and I believe it deserves large recognition,” he said.
“Naturally, we’d have favored to win, however finally I really feel gratitude. That’s the solely phrase I’ve, together with unhappiness, in fact.
“But when you give everything like that, regardless of whether you play well or poorly, it’s very hard to find fault.”
Scaloni later forged doubt on his long-term future as Argentina coach, suggesting he could select to step down when his present contract ends in December.
Reviews in Argentina have mentioned he has already reached a verbal settlement to proceed via to the 2030 World Cup.
“I already have an idea of what I want to do,” he mentioned. “I will honour the contract and then see.
“I really feel the necessity to suppose, as a result of I do not know if it is doable to realize one thing as large as this,” Scaloni added at his press convention, earlier than breaking down in tears.
