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Argentina Coach Scaloni Admits Suffering in Win, Downplays England Rivalry
🇩🇰 Denmark /Sports

Argentina Coach Scaloni Admits Suffering in Win, Downplays England Rivalry

From Berlingske · () Danish

Translated from Danish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • Argentina secured a World Cup semifinal spot by defeating Switzerland 3-1 after extra time.
  • Coach Lionel Scaloni expressed dissatisfaction with the team's performance, stating they "suffered" and were "lucky" to win.
  • Scaloni downplayed the historical rivalry with England, emphasizing the upcoming match is purely a football game.

Argentina has advanced to the World Cup semifinals, setting up a clash with England, after a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Switzerland. However, the win did not impress head coach Lionel Scaloni, who admitted the team "suffered" during the 120 minutes of play.

The truth is, we suffered. We knew they were a very physical team, and they made it very difficult for us. The truth is, luck was on our side.

— Lionel ScaloniDescribing Argentina's difficult match against Switzerland.

Scaloni acknowledged the physical challenge posed by Switzerland, stating, "The truth is, we suffered. They are a very physical team, and they made it very difficult for us." He candidly added, "The truth is, luck was on our side." Despite the team's struggles, he recognized the historical achievement of reaching a semifinal for the fifth consecutive major tournament.

The upcoming semifinal against England is steeped in historical and political context, including the 1982 Falklands War and the iconic 1986 quarterfinal where Diego Maradona scored the infamous "Hand of God" goal. However, Scaloni dismissed the significance of these past events.

When that is said, the team's performance is historic. Even though we could have played better, it is historic to be in a semifinal again.

— Lionel ScaloniReflecting on the team's achievement despite their performance.

"Listen, it's a football match. The message from here is that it's a football match. That's what I'll say about it," Scaloni stated firmly. "We have to face a very tough opponent. They have an excellent coach, and it's a football match and nothing more."

Listen, it's a football match. The message from here is that it's a football match. That's what I'll say about it.

— Lionel ScaloniDismissing the historical and political context of the upcoming match against England.

This encounter will be the sixth World Cup meeting between England and Argentina, a rivalry marked by significant moments, including England's victories in 1962 and 1966, Argentina's 1986 triumph, and dramatic penalty shootouts in 1998 and 2002. Scaloni's focus remains solely on the present challenge on the pitch.

We have to face a very tough opponent. They have an excellent coach, and it's a football match and nothing more.

— Lionel ScaloniCommenting on the upcoming semifinal opponent, England.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Berlingske in Danish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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