Lionel Scaloni has praised his players for continuing to fight through difficult matches, as Argentina's World Cup campaign built on 'suffering' faces its biggest test yet against England in the semi-finals.
Argentina's Extra-Time Victory Over Switzerland
Throughout the World Cup, from the first match through Saturday's 3-1 quarter-final win against Switzerland, Scaloni has been asked repeatedly about the legacy of this Argentina side. Scaloni, head coach for nearly eight years, ended a three-decade trophy drought, brought the country its third World Cup, and won two Copa Américas. He is Argentina's most successful coach, now almost universally revered despite a controversial appointment.
On Friday, Scaloni offered a poignant answer, referencing a viral video of a 10-year-old Argentine child celebrating Argentina's comeback victory over Egypt in the last-16. The child tore his shirt off, raving about the fighting spirit of being Argentine. 'The training staff and the players, we play football to see these things,' said Scaloni. 'Things that come from the heart. It's incredible – a kid that age says that. If this team has a legacy, that's what we want. That tomorrow, kids like that think that they can be here playing [for the national team] in the future.'
A Pattern of Late Drama and 'Suffering'
Scaloni's team has been inspiring but has shaved years off supporters' lives, always leaving things late, relinquishing leads, and relying on Lionel Messi. Twice this tournament they were nearly eliminated by outmatched opponents, including tiny Cape Verde in the last-32. On Saturday, Argentina did it again. The Albiceleste scored early and seemed in control against a unimaginative Switzerland side. Messi seemed on cruise control, his only involvement a lovely corner for Argentina's opening goal. Then came a mad, 10-minute stretch in the second half where Argentina began to cave. A defensive breakdown handed Switzerland the equalizer. Even after a controversial Swiss red card, Argentina struggled to finish the game. Messi missed two good chances as the game went to extra time.
A moment of brilliance from striker Julian Álvarez – a perfectly hit, curling strike – sent Argentina through. Lautauro Martínez iced the game at the death with a third goal. After the match, reporters' questions were dotted with words like 'sufrir' and 'costar'. 'Every game in the World Cup, we are seeing that they're like this,' said Álvarez. 'Sometimes it's our turn [to suffer], but it's also the same for our opponents. Tons of extra time, all of that. Whatever the case is, we know we will fight til the end. As long as we win, it's fine.'
Scaloni Embraces the Struggle
'To make the World Cup semi-finals you have to suffer,' added Scaloni. 'We did it in Qatar as well … Ultimately we always find the solutions, and in the end tonight we made it possible.' These are the two sides of Argentina: world-beating brilliance and absolute chaos. In three days they face England in Atlanta, rekindling one of global football's most intense rivalries, fueled by politics, history, and scandal. It features Messi for the first time against England. Scaloni sought to minimize the task: 'This is just a football game, OK? … It is a football game and we will be playing against a very tough opponent with an excellent coach. And this is a football game. And that is all.'
They will face England after playing 120 minutes in two of their last three knockout matches on just three days of rest. To Scaloni, struggle builds character. 'This is part of our blood,' he said. 'It is part of our DNA. [These struggles] bring peace of mind. We are more experienced and we know what it feels like to be dominated by the opponent, to have an equalizer. Today we kept our composure, the team knew how to remain calm, and we will never give up.'
