After beating the Netherlands on penalties, Argentina celebrate their place in the semi-finals of the World Cup. But there are also thoughtful tones, and the coach even mourns. The goalkeeper speaks of “pure emotion”.
It was already after 2 a.m. on Saturday (December 10, 2022) and the FIFA spokesman pushed a little, because Lionel Messi was also supposed to answer a few questions. But it was important for Lionel Scaloni to say something else. “Actually, today should be a very happy day, but it is a sad one”said the Argentina national team coach after reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup in the most nerve-wracking way after beating the Netherlands 4-3 on penalties.
In the town of Pujato, “where I was born,” there was a serious car accident. Someone died and another was hospitalized with serious injuries. He sends love and condolences to his homeland, said Scaloni, naming two families. When leaving the podium, the coach lost his voice a bit.
Messi sends greetings to Maradona
When Lionel Messi closed the press conference at around 2.45 a.m., it was about the late superstar of the South American country, whom they worship next to him. “Diego watches us from heaven, he helps us”, said Messi in response to a question from Argentine journalists, which, as is so often the case, revolved around emotions.
Anyone who believes that Diego Maradona looked down on the Lusail Stadium in Doha will be sure that the 1986 world champion was very proud of his successor.
Messi also shines against the Netherlands
Messi started Nahuel Molina’s 1-0 lead with a pass that will be remembered for a long time (35′). He converted the penalty to make it 2-0 (73rd) himself.
At this point, the terribly harmless Dutch seemed defeated. But their coach Louis van Gaal then replaced Wout Weghorst, changing the basic formation and, above all, the tactics again. High passes into the center of attack and high crosses were the concept from then on, central defender Virgil van Dijk, who was tall like Weghorst, also stayed in front at times, the back rows were pushed forward to collect the balls that were saved.
Weghorst poses problems for Argentina
The pressure was immense, leading to Weghorst’s second goal in the eleventh minute of added time and equalizing. “We didn’t deserve that” said Messi, and Scaloni also wrinkled his nose a little.
When asked if he shouldn’t have adapted his game better to his opponents, he said the Dutch only came through physical size: “We had problems with their high balls. We found our game again in extra time because they didn’t want to score after the 2-2 lead.”
The 71-year-old van Gaal is likely to hear this analysis as a reproach after his last game as Bonds coach and maybe even as a coach in his home country.
Now Argentina meets Croatia
Scaloni and Messi, on the other hand, will be celebrated until at least Tuesday (12/13/2022). Then, again at the Lusail Stadium, they meet Croatia in the semifinals.
The fact that Messi was named player of the match after his brilliant pass, the goal to make it 2-0 and also converted the penalty in the shoot-out was perfectly clear, as his presence was often enough for this sponsored award. A reporter from “Sport Radio” nevertheless threw a reproachful “Oh come on” at a FIFA employee when he informed him of the decision. The reporter had hoped for Emiliano Martínez in the press conference, who had saved two Dutch penalties
Penalty hero Martinez feels “pure emotion”
The goalkeeper’s assessments are there anyway. “We did it for our country, which is currently doing poorly economically. Now there’s a little bit of joy”said Martínez, before summing up the Argentine evening: “It’s pure emotion.”