On a heart-stopping night, the Argentine national team once again proved it has a heart the size of the Obelisk. Lionel Scaloni, with a cracking voice and teary eyes, could not contain his emotion after the 2-1 victory over England that sent the team to the 2026 World Cup final. “We are unique, and it’s not arrogance, it’s heart,” the coach fired, making it clear that this group does not give up even in the face of adversity.
The match, played at a MetLife Stadium that felt like a cauldron, had everything: an early own goal by Anthony Gordon, a furious reaction from the Albiceleste, and two goals in the last ten minutes that drove an entire country wild. Enzo Fernández, with a left-footed strike from another planet, equalized in the 40th minute of the second half. And when the clock showed 47 minutes, Lautaro Martínez, the Bull, appeared to slot home the second and unleash delirium. “If you don’t have these players, you’re not going anywhere. I’m no magician,” Scaloni acknowledged, once again tipping his hat to his charges.
The post-match press conference was a monologue of passion. The Argentine coach, who has already won four titles with the senior team (2021 and 2024 Copa América, 2022 Finalissima, and 2022 World Cup), looked ahead to Sunday’s final against Spain. “Spain is a great team, they were the rightful winner in the semifinal against France. We are prepared to face them,” he assured. And he dropped a gem that promises to set social media on fire: “I live in Spain, I have Spanish family. But I’m sorry, on Sunday we will try to beat them. I hope the Spanish are happy that Argentina is in the final because of the joy Messi gave them.”
But not everything was rosy. Amid the euphoria, an image began to spread like wildfire on social media: Giovani Lo Celso, one of the squad’s players, dropped a flag with the legend “Las Malvinas son argentinas” onto the field. The gesture, which violates FIFA protocols, sparked a political and media scandal. Security Minister Alejandra Monteoliva had already given the green light for the Malvinas cause to be present, but no one expected such a direct action. The images, many blurry and taken from the stands, show the midfielder unfolding the white cloth before security officials removed it.
Scaloni, asked about the incident, preferred not to dwell on the matter and focused on the sporting side. “The jersey deserves giving everything until the end, holding nothing back. They have shown once again that they feel it like everyone else,” he said, in a clear defense of his players. The coach also had words for the detractors who still question the world champion team from Qatar. “This group never ceases to amaze me. We will try to win, we will leave it all out there, but after this it’s very hard for people to understand what the players show,” he stated.
Sunday’s final, at 4 PM (Argentine time), will pit Argentina against Spain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. It will be the second consecutive final for the Albiceleste, who are seeking back-to-back titles. As for England, they will have to settle for the third-place match against France on Saturday at 6 PM at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Meanwhile, the entire country is preparing for another day of madness. The streets are already painted sky blue and white, and fans chant “Scaloni, Scaloni” on every corner. The coach, true to his style, promised that on Sunday they will “play to win the final.” And with this team, no one doubts they will try until the last second.
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che scaloni es crack pero dejen de hablar de futbol nomas lo celso con la bandera de malvinas la rompio los ingleses lloran como siempre imperialistas de mierda para mi la celeste y blanca es del pueblo no de los oligarcas vamos argentina a ganarle a españa y que se curtan todos
para mi scaloni es un capo larrrgo de jugar al fulbo y defender la patria esa banderita de malvinas de lo celso me iso llorar los ingleses son unos cagones ahora a partirle el orto a españa vamos argentina carajo 🇦🇷💪