Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni reacts after receiving his runners-up medal from U.S. President Donald Trump during the trophy presentation following the FIFA World Cup 2026 final against Spain at New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S., on July 19, 2026. REUTERS/Lee Smith

 

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey, July 19 (AFP) — Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni acknowledged that Spain deserved to win after his side's 1-0 extra-time defeat in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday, while expressing pride in his players' run to a second consecutive final.

"They were the better team — that's the truth," Scaloni said. "But I'll always cherish this group, what they achieved, and the effort it took to get this far. Reaching a World Cup final demands an enormous amount, and that deserves to be valued."

The 48-year-old said Argentina must accept defeat with the same humility they have shown in victory.

"We are gracious when we win, and we must be gracious when we lose," he said. "Today, we showed that we know how to lose. We lost the match and we accept it, but that doesn't erase everything we did to get here or change the journey we've had."

Scaloni also thanked Argentina's supporters for their unwavering backing throughout the tournament.

"To our people, my players and the entire country, I want to say that we gave everything we had," he said. "We came into this tournament knowing the challenge we faced, but when the players leave everything on the pitch, as they did today, they set an example for our people and our country. Now we have to get back up and move forward."

Despite the disappointment of falling short in the final, Scaloni said Argentina's achievement in reaching back-to-back World Cup finals should not be overlooked.

"I value being runners-up because I know how difficult it is to get here, and I believe it deserves tremendous recognition," he said. "Of course we wanted to win, but more than anything I feel grateful, along with the sadness of losing. When a team gives everything, whether it plays well or not, it's very difficult to ask for anything more."