Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni admitted Spain deserved to win after his side lost 1-0 in extra time in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday.
Substitute Ferran Torres scored in the second half of extra time as Spain finally found a way past a 10-man Argentina at the MetLife Stadium to lift the trophy.
Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, had hoped to become the first team since 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup title. But Scaloni acknowledged that Spain were the better side on the night.
“They were the better team, that’s the truth,” Scaloni said after the match.
“But I’ll always be proud of my players, what they achieved and how far they came. Reaching this stage takes an incredible amount of hard work.”
The Argentina coach became emotional and broke down in tears during his post-match press conference.
Scaloni also spoke about the scuffle that broke out after the final whistle, involving midfielder Leandro Paredes. He said his team had to accept defeat with the same dignity they had shown while celebrating their recent successes.
“We are gracious in victory, and we must be gracious in defeat. Today, we are showing that we know how to lose,” he said.
“We lost the match and we accept it. That doesn’t take away everything we achieved to get here.”
The 48-year-old thanked Argentina’s fans for their support throughout the tournament, which was held across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“To our fans, my players and the whole country, I want to say that we gave everything we had,” he said.
“The players left everything on the pitch and set a great example for our people. Now we have to get back up. There is no other way.”
Scaloni said finishing as runners-up was still a significant achievement and deserved recognition.
“I value finishing second because it’s so difficult to reach a World Cup final,” he said.
“Of course, we wanted to win, but more than anything I feel grateful, even though there is sadness as well. When your players give everything, it’s hard to ask for anything more.”
His current contract runs until December, and although reports have linked him with staying until the 2030 World Cup, he said no decision has been made.
“I already have an idea of what I want to do. I will honour my contract and then decide,” Scaloni said.
“I need some time to think because I don’t know if it’s possible to achieve something as big as this again.”
The Argentina coach became emotional once more before ending his press conference.
