Argentina coach Scaloni: We had no trouble in the Cape Verde match, but we passed the tour

Favorites Argentina, who faced Cape Verde in the World Cup Round of 32, unexpectedly faced huge difficulties. The match, which ended 2-2 in normal time, went to extra time and the champions managed to pass the tour with a 3-2 score at the last moment. Speaking to the press after the match, head coach Lionel Scaloni said that this hard-fought victory silenced the critics and proved that no qualifying match is easy. Scaloni made a realistic assessment, admitting that the team achieved a victory they definitely deserved but confessed that the struggle on the pitch was extremely tiring and tough.

Before the match, Argentina were heavily touted as strong contenders for the championship, but Cape Verde put in an incredible performance despite their underdog status on paper. The small African nation refused to give up despite falling behind twice, equalizing both times and pushing the champions to the limit until extra time. Scaloni stated that his players were completely exhausted at the end of the match and suffered from cramps, expressing that they had a very physically tiring 120 minutes. However, he added that they were able to overcome every difficulty by playing with their hearts and showed the true character of the team.

Sidny Lopes Cabral's magnificent goal in extra time to equalize again caused great panic and distress in the Argentina camp. Scaloni said the goal was an amazing strike and at that moment he just wanted the match to end, feeling that the team was vulnerable to a surprise at any moment. He emphasized that everyone thought the match would be a comfortable walk for Argentina, but they knew things would never be easy. The head coach stated that the pressure of being favorites did not have a negative effect on the team, their greatest feature was to constantly play forward, and that their hearts were on the pitch.

Scaloni expressed that the pitch conditions also negatively affected Argentina's game and that it was not an ideal surface for dribbling, describing this difficult process that endangered the team's championship as a summary of Argentine football. "What does it mean to be Argentine? To suffer, to endure," he said, voicing his emotions. Scaloni appreciated Cape Verde's struggle, saying they gave 200% and that this changed the balance of football, and the magic of this jersey did not make things any easier.

Scaloni believes this difficult transition period will make the team even stronger, emphasizing that the Cape Verde match was a lesson for them and they will continue on their way even stronger from now on. He expressed that with the lesson the national team will take from this tough match, they will be more careful and prepared in the next rounds, they are aware of the responsibility carried by this jersey, and they will be more motivated against their next opponents. Argentina showed that it will continue to overcome such difficulties to preserve the championship title and will do its utmost to advance in the tournament.