Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has taken a brutal swipe at England after his side's 2-1 World Cup semi-final victory, claiming the Three Lions were 'doubting themselves' during the match. England's bid to end 60 years of hurt fell short as Thomas Tuchel's team were beaten by the defending champions at the tournament in the United States.
England Take the Lead but Fail to Hold On
After a cagey first half with few chances, England took the lead on 55 minutes through Anthony Gordon, who turned home Morgan Rogers' superb cross from the back post. However, Tuchel went ultra-defensive soon after, and England's passiveness allowed Argentina to take control of the ball and launch wave after wave of attacks. The World Cup holders twice hit the post before finally scoring a deserved equaliser through Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez, who beat England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford from the edge of the box.
Tuchel's defensive changes meant England were clinging on for dear life just to get to extra time, but Lautaro Martinez sent Argentina into the final with an injury-time winner. Argentina will face Spain in Sunday's final as they bid to become just the third team to win back-to-back World Cups.
Scaloni: 'We Smelt Blood and Went for It'
Scaloni described his team's comeback win as 'so impressive' and admitted he felt England 'doubting themselves' towards the end of the game. 'We were under a bit of pressure, but the opponent doubted themselves,' Scaloni said in his post-match press conference. 'We all felt it, we smelt blood and went for it. There was a vacuum inside [England's] goal. The ball went in after hitting the post twice. After England scored we showed a lot about our football. It's more than tactics and playing pretty football.'
Asked how it felt to guide Argentina into another World Cup final, Scaloni added: 'I'm lost for words. A great happiness for our country and our people. And another great happiness for this group who never stop surprising me and never know when they are beaten. I can tell them that we are going to try to win, we're going to leave it all out there, but the truth is that to do this is very difficult. It's very difficult for people to understand what our players have given. It is so impressive.'
Martinez Criticises England's Tactics
Emiliano Martinez, who plays his club football for Premier League side Aston Villa, was also critical of England's decision to go 'backwards and backwards' after taking the lead. 'We felt it. We felt them going backwards and backwards rather than going forward,' the goalkeeper said. 'Sometimes when you are winning, you have to go forward anyway. You can't change the gameplan. I think they did it and they put extra defenders.'
On facing European champions Spain in the final, Martinez added: 'It's special. It's special to win it. It's special for my country, family and team-mates. To be in back-to-back World Cup finals, it means whatever we have done is in the right path. I am so proud of everyone, especially my family.'
Scaloni: 'We Are Unique'
Scaloni also praised his players' heart and determination, saying: 'We are unique. It's not arrogance, it is all heart. Today so many people arrived here to support us and for that I am truly grateful – they helped us to victory. This shirt merits us giving absolutely everything possible until the very end. To not spare anything at all.'
