Scaloni started the World Cup with a shock defeat – on Sunday he will lead his Argentina in the fight for the World Cup gold at the Lusail stadium in Doha.
He already has that match in mind. Letting loose and showing strong emotions is something that may come if Argentina becomes world champion.
But the players can be happy – at least for a while. After all, it is five days until the WC’s last and biggest match.
Celebrated with the players
He admits that he could not keep the mask immediately after the game and in the dressing room.
— As an Argentine, I have always dreamed of this. It’s impossible not to feel and celebrate like my players. It makes me happy to see how the players are enjoying this victory.
— I had the same feeling as against the Netherlands and Australia, he says and draws up how it felt after 1-2 against Saudi Arabia and thanks all the supporters on site in Qatar.
— We received support, we felt their support after the loss against Saudi Arabia and that is something we will never forget.
Despite a clear 3-0, he knows that there is more to get out of the team.
— We have played better matches, at a higher level, but playing a semi-final against Croatia, third in the last World Cup, is not easy. We deserved to win. They played very well in the beginning.
— The match opened with our penalty goal, says Scaloni.
No wishes
Wednesday night’s semi-final between France and Morocco will determine who Argentina will face in the final on Sunday. Scaloni has no preferences, at least he does not reveal which team he prefers to see in the fight for the World Cup gold
— Who do I prefer? What can I say. We face the opponent who deserves to be in the final, he says.
Scaloni heaps praise on Lionel Messi, who is now up to five goals and three assists in the tournament.
— I have said for a long time that Messi is the best player in the world. I see what he does in training. Every time I see him play, I see how he motivates his teammates and all the Argentinians who see him.
— It is an honor to have him in the team.
Lionel Scaloni is the first Argentinian national team captain to succeed in taking the national team to the finals of both the Copa América and the World Cup.