Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has dismissed suggestions that his team is receiving favourable treatment at the FIFA World Cup, insisting the growing criticism has only strengthened the defending
champions ahead of their quarterfinal against Switzerland.
Argentina’s route to the last eight has come under intense scrutiny, with critics pointing to controversial refereeing decisions, VAR calls and what many believe is a favourable knockout draw. If Lionel Messi and company beat Switzerland, they will reach the semifinals without facing a team currently ranked inside FIFA’s top 10.
The debate intensified after Argentina’s dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt in the Round of 16, where the Egyptians accused FIFA of manipulating the tournament in Argentina’s favour following several contentious officiating decisions.
‘People Don’t Want Us To Win’
Speaking before Saturday’s quarterfinal, Scaloni admitted the noise surrounding Argentina’s campaign has filtered into the dressing room but believes it has had the opposite effect.
“The thing is, we might have a lot more people who don’t want us to win because we won the last one, and well, we take that into account. And yeah, it gets to the players,” Scaloni said.
“We use criticism or comments to rebel. To stage a rebellion and make the players play even better.”
The Argentina boss also dismissed the idea that such accusations were anything new, drawing comparisons with the country’s successful 1986 World Cup campaign.
“It’s been a long time — 40 years, as you just said — since 1986, right? They were saying we were favoured back then, too. So it’s not something new.”
“As far back as I can remember, Argentina has always been one of the teams that stir up the tournament. It’s used to show the players that there are people who don’t want Argentina to win. But that’s normal, just like there will be people who don’t want another national team to win.”
Scaloni Backs VAR
The controversy has also reignited debate around VAR after Egypt saw a second-half goal ruled out for a foul committed earlier in the attacking phase.
Scaloni, however, defended the technology and insisted match officials were simply applying the laws exactly as they had been explained before the tournament.
“I think with VAR and all these things, it’s very hard for them to help you. Very hard,” he said.
“There’s no double interpretation with VAR. They made it crystal clear to us before the World Cup started. They showed us all the footage and explained how it would work. It’s been followed to the letter.”
Argentina now face Switzerland knowing another victory would move them within one match of a second successive World Cup final.
