Ahead of the World Cup semi-final against England, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni attended the pre-match press conference.
Reporter: You have previously stated that this is merely a football match. Yet external factors may still affect the players. How do you help them stay focused and keep off-field distractions out of their minds? Additionally, what is your opinion on Spain beating France to advance to the final?
Lionel Scaloni: I only watched a small part of Spain’s game because we had to rush to attend this press conference. I think Spain fully deserved the victory and delivered an outstanding performance today. As I have said before, they have been improving steadily throughout this tournament, and this was their most complete display at the World Cup so far. Congratulations to them; they are completely worthy of this result.
Regarding emotions and historical issues, I have stated this several times before and reiterated it to other journalists earlier: this is simply a football match. I refuse to conflate different issues, especially out of respect for events that happened many years ago. It was an extremely sorrowful period in our national history, and nothing can change what happened back then. The truth is straightforward — this is just a football game. Mixing historical grievances with modern sporting fixtures is irrational in this era. We criticize wars happening across the world today, so it would be absurd for me to claim this is more than a football match. Of course, we honor and remember the victims. As Argentines, we ought to reflect on history and respect the families who lost their loved ones, which is only right. However, we must distinguish between different matters. What responsibility do today’s players and ordinary people bear for events from long ago? We will always remember this painful history, but it is wrong to link it to the current match. This is purely a football game, and everyone should avoid such confusion.
Reporter: Having secured numerous honours in recent years, how does the team manage the tension and high expectations surrounding another World Cup semi-final?
Lionel Scaloni: Reaching a World Cup semi-final is a unique achievement. Though we have experienced this stage before, our feelings remain exactly the same. We are just as joyful, nervous and excited, and we still aim to let fans witness our team giving their all. We are facing an extremely strong opponent who will pose huge challenges and fight hard for a final spot, and we are looking forward to the contest. Before kick-off, we intend to embrace this moment. People always emphasize the journey, so we will cherish it now and see what the result brings afterward. Personally, I do not regard reaching the semi-finals as a simple victory, but the achievements these players have delivered over the past few years are extraordinary. I choose to cherish those accomplishments, which allow us to approach this crucial game with a calmer mindset.
Reporter: Beyond the team’s accumulated experience, how do you manage players’ anxiety and nervousness when facing a final-place decider?
Lionel Scaloni: My answer remains similar. Fortunately, we have gained rich experience from high-stakes tournaments. Experience cannot guarantee victory, but it helps us stay composed, as we know what to expect once the game starts. This is our fifth semi-final in international tournaments, which brings us considerable mental stability. Therefore, despite the massive stakes of this fixture, the players are calm and ready for the upcoming game.
Reporter: Several former England players have recently publicly criticized Lisandro Martínez, Cristian Romero and Argentina’s central defensive partnership. How do you respond to their disparaging remarks about your players?
Lionel Scaloni: I have not seen those comments and do not know the specific content, so I will not comment on matters I am unaware of. That said, once I retire from coaching, I will never criticize any player, whether they are from Argentina, Japan, China or England. Since I have not read their remarks, I have no intention of making arbitrary evaluations. I assume they were simply supporting their national team, but I have no further comments on this matter.
