Scaloni reveals halftime talk after Messi's missed penalty against Austria

Argentina has clinched its place in the 2026 World Cup round of 16 after a hard-fought victory over Austria. However, the match saw a tense moment when captain Lionel Messi failed to convert a penalty kick that could have altered the game's momentum.

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It was a blow, no doubt. The penalty play was very good, and finishing it would have been wonderful. We felt that if we had scored that goal, the game would have been different.

Following the match, head coach Lionel Scaloni shared insights into his team talk during the hydration break that occurred shortly after Messi's missed penalty. Scaloni acknowledged the impact the missed opportunity had on the players, noting that an early lead could have significantly changed the game's dynamic. Despite the setback, he praised the squad's resilience in overcoming the adverse situation.

"It was a blow, no doubt. The penalty play was very good, and finishing it would have been wonderful. We felt that if we had scored that goal, the game would have been different," Scaloni stated in a press conference. He revealed that during the break, he urged his players to remain patient and focus on ball circulation rather than rushing their plays. "I told them there were things to improve and that, by being patient, moving the ball from one side to the other, we would find the passes," he explained.

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I told them there were things to improve and that, by being patient, moving the ball from one side to the other, we would find the passes.

Scaloni also reiterated Messi's crucial role in the team's overall performance, even when the team struggled to maintain possession. "When Leo activates, everyone activates," the coach summarized. He particularly commended Messi's defensive efforts, recalling an instance where Messi recovered the ball in the opponent's half, showcasing his commitment to the group. "He looked committed. It's impressive what he generates. I don't know what else to say about him. It's even tiring," Scaloni added with a smile.

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When Leo activates, everyone activates.

Reflecting on the match, Scaloni described it as a "suffering" experience, noting that Austria presented similar challenges to Algeria in the previous phase, characterized by high physicality and technical skill. "We suffered, but we know how to suffer. That is a merit of the team. It's a complicated opponent, tall and physical. It seemed like it would be easy, but it wasn't," he concluded.

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He looked committed. It's impressive what he generates. I don't know what else to say about him. It's even tiring.