Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has slammed accusations of dirty tricks leveled at his players in their win against the Netherlands in the World Cup 2022 quarter-finals.
Argentina legend Walter Samuel, a member of Scaloni’s coaching staff, was booked for kicking the ball onto the pitch after Lionel Messi was accused of play acting to get Dutch forward Wout Weghorst sent off.
After a brutal, bad-tempered battle,the game ended with 17 bookings. Argentina’s players erupted in ecstasy after their penalty shootout victory in front of the devastated Dutch players.
Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz, the referee, has been sent home after allegations that he lost control of the game. It sparked an angry backlash from Dutch players and coaches, who turned on Argentina, and has put Scaloni’s men in the spotlight ahead of their semi-final match against Croatia.
Scaloni, on the other hand, has responded with a passionate defense and an angry rant in the aftermath of their dramatic win, which has set up a return to the Lusail Stadium on Tuesday night.
“Well, since you’re asking about it, I just want to finish with this topic,” Scaloni said. The previous game was played in the manner that we were required to play it”.
“However, both teams, the Netherlands and Argentina, that is football. In football, you must sometimes defend as well as attack. And, you know, things like the previous game can happen. There may be disagreements and more difficult times. But that’s about it. That is why a referee exists: to make justice.” We must simply abandon the notion that Argentina is just that, and that we are prone to such behavior. We lost to Saudi Arabia and said nothing.” We won the Copa in Brazil, and we saw the most sporting behavior from Messi Parades and Neymar. They were all seated together in the tunnel at Maracana Stadium. So I’m not convinced of the concept of unsporting behavior.” We needed to show our pride, so we simply played the game the way it had to be played. Then there’s the referee, who makes the final call.
“And, you know, everything comes to an end when the referee blows the final whistle.” So, with respect to all the teams, the Netherlands and Croatia, and now all the opponents we face, that’s been one of our main characteristics and features of our personality since the first game. That is not who we are as a team, as a squad, or as the way we represent our country.”
Argentina will be hot favourites to beat Croatia and set up a potentially glamorous final with France, who face Morocco in the other semi-final after they defeated Portugal. However, Scaloni insists that Argentina cannot take anything for granted if they are to win the World Cup for the third time.
“We expect a tough game against a really good team,” Scaloni added. They are a fantastic team with excellent support, and it will be a significant challenge for us. “All Argentinians are optimistic and up for the challenge.”