World Cup: Scaloni calls for calm after Messi magic keeps Argentina’s hopes alive
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Argentina captain Lionel Messi evading the challenge of Mexico's Uriel Antuna during a World Cup Group C match on Saturday.
PHOTO: AFP
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DOHA – Emotions ran high both within the Argentina camp and back home as La Albiceleste kept their World Cup hopes alive by defeating Mexico 2-0 on Saturday.
But Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has urged his countrymen to show calm after goals by Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernandez helped them bounce back
Argentina would have been eliminated from the tournament with a match to go had they lost to Mexico and despite this win, they must still defeat Poland on Wednesday to ensure progression to the last 16 from Group C.
Asked about images showing his assistant Pablo Aimar on the brink of tears during the game, Scaloni called for some perspective.
“You have to have some common sense, it’s just a football match,” he said. “I received a message from my brother saying he was crying and it can’t be like that. It’s as if it were more than a football match.
“I don’t share that. The players must understand it’s a football match. If not, it will be like this in every match.
“It’s hard to make people understand that the sun will rise tomorrow, win or lose. What matters is how you do things.”
After a goal-less first half, Scaloni made three changes after the break, replacing Guido Rodriguez, Lautaro Martinez and Gonzalo Montiel with Nahuel Molina, Julian Alvarez and Fernandez. Messi then broke the deadlock in the 64th minute before providing the final pass for Fernandez’s curling effort three minutes from time.
But Scaloni refused to take the credit for his side’s change of fortunes.
The 44-year-old said: “That (the change) wasn’t because of the substitutions. It was because we have good players and we have Leo, and that’s what’s important.”
He added that he would not be celebrating as his team are still not out of danger yet. Even with a draw against Poland, the two-time champions could still be eliminated.
“People will think I’m crazy but fine, we won, we’re celebrating, it happens,” he said. “Tomorrow, we have to prepare the game... we had to think about what came next. The joy doesn’t last long, you have to maintain balance.”
He expects group leaders Poland, who need a point to ensure their progress to the last 16, to raise their game against La Albiceleste.
“Poland are very difficult, everyone plays differently (against Argentina). And they don’t just change for Leo (Messi), but for all the other players and for the respect for Argentina.”
Messi, whose goal meant he tied the late Diego Maradona on eight goals and 21 appearances at the World Cup for Argentina, admitted the four days between losing to Saudi Arabia
“It was uncomfortable given the defeat in the opening match, which we didn’t expect,” he said. “The days were very long, that’s how it felt. We were eager to have the chance to turn this around.
“We knew it was a critical game. If we didn’t win we were out and if we won, we would have another chance.
“Luckily we could win and that was a weight off our shoulders and joy. We have peace of mind, it’s all down to us again.”
Despite the defeat, Mexico coach Gerardo Martino refused to concede that it is over for his team.
“As long as there is a possibility (of advancing) we are going to keep fighting,” Martino said.
Mexico will need to win their last match against Saudi Arabia on Wednesday by a hefty margin to have any chance of progressing to the last 16. The last time they did not feature in the knockout stage was in 1990. AFP, XINHUA
