Scaloni Proud of the Argentine Team and Their Dedication During the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final

Pride in defeat, gratitude in giving it your all, and the certainty of having left everything on the field.

Spain asserts its dominance in New York

The 2026 World Cup final at the New York–New Jersey stadium ended with Spain lifting the trophy thanks to Ferran Torres' goal in the 106th minute of extra time. The team led by Luis de la Fuente was vastly superior with 20 shots, 12 on target, two disallowed goals, and a 1.94 xG that reflected their offensive insistence. Argentina, on the other hand, barely managed two shots, the first one only in the 117th minute by Lionel Messi, becoming the first team in the history of a World Cup final without shots in regular time. The expulsion of Enzo Fernández and the 25 fouls committed, a record since the 2022 final, marked a rough and tangled match.

Scaloni with gratitude and pride in defeat

Despite the sporting blow, Lionel Scaloni chose to highlight the commitment of his players. He acknowledged Spain's superiority, but emphasized the example set by the Albiceleste: "If the players leave everything on the field, as they did, it is a great example for our people and our country." The coach spoke of sadness, but also of gratitude: "Naturally, we wanted to win, but I feel gratitude. That's all I have, along with the sadness." His message sought to convey that the defeat does not erase the path traveled or the spirit shown by the team.

Incidents and dignity in the farewell

After the final whistle, there were tense moments with Leandro Paredes, although Scaloni was quick to emphasize that his team knows how to lose with dignity. Argentina thus adds its fourth World Cup runner-up finish (1930, 1990, 2014, and 2026), tying Germany as the teams with the most finals lost. For Scaloni, beyond the statistics, what remains is the lesson of a group that fought until the last minute and, even in defeat, left a mark of commitment and national pride.