Scaloni Refutes Assertions Argentina Players Behaved Unsportingly Against Netherlands
Lionel Scaloni believes assertions that Argentina did not show sportsmanship after defeating Netherlands have been blown out of proportion.
Argentina prevailed 4-3 on penalties after a tenacious quarterfinal encounter at the Lusail Iconic Stadium on Friday ended in a 2-2 draw after extra time.
Some Argentina players celebrated wildly in front of their Netherlands counterparts after winning the shootout while captain Lionel Messi was involved in a heated confrontation with Dutch boss Louis Van Gaal after the game.
Referee Antonio Mateo Lahoz dished out a tournament record 15 yellow cards during the game as well.
But Argentina boss Scaloni does not think his side behaved poorly against the Dutch.
"The game was played the way we have to play, both teams did that," he said in a press conference.
"Some games, things can happen, arguments, challenging times. That's why there's a referee to ensure there's justice.
"We need to put an end to this idea that this is Argentina. We lost to Saudi Arabia and didn't do anything.
"We won the Copa America in Brazil and experienced the most sporting behaviour with Messi, [Leandro] Paredes and Neymar, all sat together in the tunnel.
"I'm not convinced of this idea of unsporting behaviour. We play with pride, the way we have to play and then the referee is in charge of decisions. We respect all the teams, the Netherlands, Croatia and all the opponents. That's one of our main characteristics of our personality.
"We need to end this idea of not being good winners or losers, that's very far from what we are as a team and a squad, and the way we represent this nation."
Argentina will face Croatia in the semi-finals on Tuesday.
