Lionel Scaloni hails his Argentina aspect’s ‘lovely’ victory in ‘ugly sport’ | World Cup 2022

Lionel Scaloni hailed his Argentina aspect’s “lovely” penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands however admitted his aspect had been dragged into an “ugly sport” by a Dutch workforce that stunned him with their aggressiveness.

The coach’s feedback got here after an enthralling however terribly bad-tempered sport which featured one purple card and 16 yellows – two of which got here throughout a penalty shootout by which the Dutch participant Denzel Dumfries was despatched off for taunting opponents. After Argentina had triumphed 4-3 on penalties, following a 2-2 draw, their gamers then goaded the Dutch whereas Lionel Messi additionally exchanged phrases with Louis van Gaal and his assistant Edgar Davids.

“The sport was heated,” admitted Scaloni. “However this was a quarter-final. And what occurs on the pitch stays on the pitch. In fact we had 11 males. Leo [Messi] was a vital participant and he confirmed that he’s the very best of all occasions and we’re glad that he’s on our aspect.”

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Argentina’s Leandro Paredes was additionally fortunate to obtain only a yellow card for not solely a foul foul on Nathan Aké however for then smashing the ball on the Dutch bench, which sparked a fractious shoving match between either side.

However Scaloni prompt it was the Netherlands that had been the instigators. Requested whether or not they had performed in a method that was anti-football, he replied: “They performed in a method I didn’t count on from them. However every workforce, every coach, decides the right way to play. I received’t discuss their soccer philosophy however in reality within the second half it was an unsightly sport.

“We had no probabilities and it was ceaselessly interrupted however they’re allowed to play how they want.”

Messi was the participant of the match, creating the primary, scoring Argentina’s second from the spot after which – for good measure – giving them the lead within the penalty shootout. However he admitted that his workforce had suffered after squandering a 2-0 lead with the Dutch striker Wout Weghorst scoring twice within the ultimate seven minutes to power additional time.

“We suffered an excessive amount of,” he stated. “It was a really powerful sport. We lived it on the pitch for the individuals. And Diego Maradona is seeing us from heaven, he’s pushing us to the very finish.”

Nonetheless Messi, who was additionally booked for arguing with the Spanish referee, Antonio Mateu Lahoz, was crucial of how the sport was officiated. “I felt numerous anger,” he stated. “I don’t wish to speak in regards to the referee as a result of later they sanction you, you’ll be able to’t say what you suppose as a result of they sanction you. Fifa has to evaluation that.”

Argentina are actually the favourites to raise their third World Cup however Messi is refusing to get carried away.

“Croatia is a really tough opponent,” he added. “They’ve nice gamers, they know themselves very effectively. They’ve the identical coach because the final World Cup and it’s a World Cup semi-final, it’s going to be powerful.”