Scaloni credits players after Argentina reaches World Cup final

Following Argentina's dramatic victory over England to secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, coach Lionel Scaloni deflected personal praise, attributing the success to the players. "I am not a magician, I say this from the heart. Here, it is the players who play, and we try to do our best with our mistakes and virtues," Scaloni stated during an emotional press conference.

Scaloni emphasized the collective nature of the team's achievement, noting that each member fulfills their role. He believes the squad performs best when facing difficulties, describing it as a team that shows "blood and goes as far as possible" when under pressure. He also addressed external criticism and doubts about refereeing, asserting that modern VAR technology makes such suspicions unlikely.

Reflecting on the significance of the win for Argentinian fans, Scaloni urged them to enjoy the moment. He mentioned that reaching the semifinals was already a great achievement, making their place in the final even more special. He spoke of the team's strong sense of brotherhood and their unwavering fight until the end, stating, "My voice breaks, honestly, because it is a demonstration of a lot of things. Of group, of brotherhood, of not giving up a single chance, of fighting until the end."

Looking ahead to the final against Spain, Scaloni acknowledged his personal relationship with Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente, who was his mentor during a coaching course. While expressing mutual respect and admiration for Spain's brilliant work, Scaloni made his intentions clear: "I live in Spain, I have a Spanish family, but on Sunday, I'm sorry, we will try to beat them." He anticipates a "beautiful football match" and hopes Spanish fans will be happy for Argentina, given the joy Lionel Messi has brought to the country.