Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni says he is proud of how his team persevered in their World Cup final win over France.
La Albiceleste held a 2-0 lead over the 2018 champions but were forced to extra time thanks to a Kylian Mbappe brace. And just as Lionel Messi made it 3-2 after 108 minutes, Mbappe responded again at the death to take the game to penalties.
But Argentina finally prevailed, seeing off their opponents in a 4-2 shootout victory to claim their third World Cup and their first in 36 long years.
Speaking to reporters after the historic win, a tearful Scaloni was candid: “I cannot believe that we have suffered so much in a perfect game. Unbelievable, but this team responds to everything.
“I am proud of the work they did. It is an exciting group,” he added: “With the blows we received today, with the draws, this makes you emotional. I want to tell people to enjoy, it’s a historic moment for our country.”
44-year-old Scaloni took charge of Argentina in 2018, having been promoted from his position as manager of the country’s under-20 side.
Capped seven times in his playing days, Scaloni’s coaching career hadn’t set the world alight before taking the job. That all changed, though, when he led the country to the 2021 Copa America and embarked on a 36-game unbeaten run heading into the 2022 World Cup.
Credit: 90min.com
