Scaloni: Argentina Smelled England’s Doubt Before World Cup Comeback

• Argentina recovered from a goal down to beat England 2-1 and reach a second straight FIFA World Cup final.
• Lionel Scaloni says his players sensed England’s loss of confidence after taking the lead and seized the initiative.
• Defending champions Argentina will face Spain in Sunday’s final, while England take on France in the third-place match.

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has said his players capitalised on England’s wavering confidence to complete a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory and book a place in a second consecutive FIFA World Cup final.

The defending champions trailed after Anthony Gordon gave England the lead early in the second half of Wednesday’s semi-final before Enzo Fernández levelled with a stunning long-range strike. Substitute Lautaro Martínez then headed home a pinpoint cross from Lionel Messi deep into stoppage time to complete Argentina’s late turnaround.

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Scaloni said the momentum shifted after England went in front, with his players sensing uncertainty in the Three Lions’ approach.

“The opponent doubted themselves a bit. We smelled blood and went for it. We all felt it,” the Argentina coach said after the match.

He praised his team’s character for refusing to panic after conceding first.

READ ALSO: Argentina Stun England to Reach Consecutive World Cup Finals

“After England scored, we showed a lot about our football. It’s more than tactics and playing pretty football,” Scaloni added.

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez shared a similar view, claiming England retreated too deep after taking the lead instead of maintaining their attacking approach.

“We felt it. We felt them going backwards and backwards rather than going forward,” Martínez said.

“Sometimes when you are winning, you have to go forward anyway. You can’t change the game plan. I think they did it and they put extra defenders.”

Looking ahead to Sunday’s final against Spain, Scaloni expressed pride in his players for once again carrying Argentina to the brink of another World Cup title.

“I’m lost for words. A great happiness for our country and our people. This shirt merits us giving absolutely everything possible until the very end,” he said.

Argentina will face Spain in Sunday’s final as they seek to successfully defend the World Cup crown they won four years ago.

England, meanwhile, will battle France in Saturday’s third-place playoff after suffering another painful semi-final exit.