Lionel Scaloni rejects unfair referee talk: Spain were better in World Cup final
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has rejected claims of unfair officiating at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. Argentina lost the final 1-0 to Spain at the MetLife Stadium in a largely one-sided contest. The 2022 champions failed to register a shot on target in regular time and were just two shots short in the entire game compared to Spain on 20.
Ferran Torres’ 105th-minute goal sealed the deal for La Roja. Argentina players were left angry with referee Slavko Vincica after he sent off Enzo Fernandez late in the second half for his second bookable offence.
Fernandez dealt with Pau Cubarsi while trying to get to the ball and was given his marching orders. However, Scaloni said the referees were not the reason his team lost the final and in fact Spain are a better team than them.
“Was the authority unfair?” No, we lost because Spain were better than us,” Scaloni told reporters after his return to Argentina.
Scaloni suggested that his team arrived tired from the clash after the extra-time semi-final win over England.
“We have to admit, they played better. (I admit that) they will make us better in the long run.”
“We probably came to the final empty-handed, that’s the reality,” said Scaloni.
During the match, they lost the services of defender Lisandro Martinez due to injury in the first half and subsequently had to withdraw Cristiano Romero as well.
THE FUTURE OF SCALONI IS IN THE AIR
Scaloni was emotional after the finalwho broke down in tears during a press conference. Following this, he admitted that he may step down as Argentina coach at the end of this year.
“No, no. I’ll stay until December and then I’ll most likely step aside. I’ll continue until then and then I’ll talk to the Federation President. The plan is to take a break and slow down a bit. That’s the plan.”
Scalnoi’s current contract expires in December.
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Published on:
Jul 22, 2026 1:15 PM IST