Lionel Scaloni believes Argentina set a “great example for our people and our country”, despite their underwhelming display in the World Cup final.
Ferran Torres scored the vital goal as Spain beat Argentina 1-0 at New York New Jersey Stadium.
In a scrappy encounter, Spain were the dominant team, having 20 shots, getting 12 on target and creating chances worth 1.94 expected goals, while also having two goals disallowed, either side of Torres’ 106th-minute winner in extra time.
Argentina, in contrast, managed just two attempts, with their first coming from Lionel Messi in the 117th minute. They became the first team to fail to have a shot in regulation time in a World Cup final.
Scaloni’s team saw Enzo Fernandez sent off late on in normal time, and committed 25 fouls in total, which is the most in a World Cup game since Argentina (26) themselves against France in the 2022 final.
Though Argentina’s campaign ultimately ended on a disappointing note, Scaloni had nothing but pride for his team.
In quotes carried by AFP, Scaloni said: “[Spain] were the better side — that’s the truth — but I’ll cherish the memory of [my side], of what they achieved, and of the value of making it this far.
“We have to place immense value on this because it takes so much effort.
“We arrived here facing a realistic situation, but if the players leave everything on the pitch, as they did, it sets a great example for our people and our country.
“We have to pick ourselves up again, there is no other way.
“I certainly value the runners-up spot because it takes so much to get here, and I think it deserves huge recognition.
“Naturally, we would have liked to win, but ultimately, I feel gratitude. That is the only word I have, along with sadness, of course.
“But when you give everything like that, regardless of whether you play well or poorly, it’s very hard to find fault.”
Argentina committed 25 fouls against Spain, the most in a World Cup game since …
Argentina (26) against France in the 2022 World Cup final. pic.twitter.com/9zqUss33sq
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) July 19, 2026
Tempers boiled over at full-time, with Leandro Paredes involved in unsavoury scenes after the final whistle.
Scaloni, though, claimed his team know how to accept a loss.
“We are gracious in victory, and we must be gracious in defeat. We are showing that we know how to lose,” he said.
“We lost the match, and we accept it, but that doesn’t mean we stop living or forget everything we did to get here.”
Argentina have finished as runners-up at the World Cup for the fourth time (also 1930, 1990 and 2014), the joint-most of any side, along with Germany.
