Argentina Coach Scaloni Faces Intense Scrutiny After World Cup Final Loss
The recent World Cup final saw Argentina fall to Spain, leaving coach Lionel Scaloni visibly emotional and hinting at a potential departure. His contract expires in December, and the team’s performance has sparked serious questions about his leadership and tactical choices.
Argentina’s path to the final was often marked by resilience, but that quality was notably absent against Spain. The team made history by failing to register a single shot in the opponent’s half during regulation time. Even after playing with ten men, the initial lack of urgency was glaring. Questions arose about why such intensity only appeared after conceding.
Concerns have also emerged regarding Scaloni’s initial player selections. Supporters wondered why Leandro Paredes and Giuliano Simeone were dropped, while Nico Gonzalez and Rodrigo De Paul started. Gonzalez was substituted at halftime, leaving many to question his inclusion from the start. De Paul, a key figure in Argentina’s previous World Cup triumph, struggled to find his best form throughout this tournament.
Another puzzling decision was the complete omission of Lautaro Martínez. The striker had scored in both the quarterfinal and semifinal matches, showing strength in the air and effectiveness in pressing. His absence from the final meant these strengths were not utilized.
Additionally, several in-form players received limited opportunities. Nico Paz had an exceptional season in Serie A, playing a key role in Como’s Champions League qualification and being named Player of the Season. Yet, he played only 72 minutes in the World Cup. Valentin Barco, a versatile player who impressed in France’s Ligue 1, also saw very little action. Scaloni now faces questions about not fully utilizing these promising players.
Despite making bold changes after the 2022 World Cup loss to Saudi Arabia, Scaloni largely stuck with the same core group four years later. Players like Aston Villa’s Europa League-winning Emiliano Buendia, who were in excellent form, were not even selected for the squad. With Argentina’s midfield struggling during the competition, even an experienced player like Giovani Lo Celso could have provided a solution, yet Scaloni appeared reluctant to alter his established strategy.
Tactically, Argentina struggled to control the ball or execute swift counter-attacks. The team managed only 37 touches in Spain’s half. For comparison, Paraguay, known for their physical play against France and widely criticized for it, recorded more touches in their opponent’s half. The brilliant first-half display from the 2022 World Cup final against France was nowhere to be seen. Angel Di María’s absence alone cannot fully account for such a significant downturn.
These are just some of the difficult questions Lionel Scaloni must now address as his contract approaches its end.
