Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni said his team noticed England lost confidence after they took the lead in Wednesday’s FIFA World Cup semi-final match.
He explained that the defending champions took advantage of this change to secure a thrilling 2-1 comeback win and reach the final for the second time in a row.
England went ahead with a goal from Anthony Gordon. Argentina equalised with a long-range shot from Enzo Fernández.
Lautaro Martínez then scored with a header from a Lionel Messi cross deep into stoppage time, sealing the victory.
Looking back at the match, Scaloni said: “The opponent doubted themselves a bit. We smelled blood and went for it. We all felt it.”
He noted that his players stayed calm even after going behind, saying: “Yes, after England scored we showed a lot about our football. It’s more than tactics and playing pretty football.”
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez also mentioned that Argentina saw England becoming more defensive after scoring first.
“We felt it. We felt them going backwards and backwards rather than going forward,” he said. He added, “Sometimes when you are winning, you have to go forward anyway. You can’t change the gameplan. I think they did it and they put extra defenders.”
As they prepare for Sunday’s final against Spain, Scaloni praised his team's determination, saying: “I’m lost for words. A great happiness for our country and our people… This shirt merits us giving absolutely everything possible until the very end.”
According to PUNCH Online, defending champions Argentina will face 2010 winners Spain on Sunday.
Meanwhile, England and France will compete for third place on Saturday.
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