Argentina's Scaloni admits Spain were 'better side' in World Cup final loss

[p]Substitute [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/torres-ferran/AVAVLaLt/"]Ferran Torres[/a] scored in the second period of extra-time as [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/spain/bLyo6mco/"]Spain[/a] finally broke down 10-man [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/argentina/f9OppQjp/"]Argentina[/a] to win [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/argentina-f9OppQjp/spain-bLyo6mco/?mid=UgbUKPmT"]1-0[/a] at the MetLife Stadium.[/p][p]The South American champions, featuring star player [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/messi-lionel/vgOOdZbd/"]Lionel Messi[/a], had been seeking to become the first team since 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups.[/p][embed guid="b799d8a4-ce36-471c-a8ea-616b5267c93c" url="https://x.com/Flashscorecom/status/2078963746450424020?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]"They were the better side - that's the truth - but I'll cherish the memory of them (his side), of what they achieved, and of the value of making it this far,"[/b] Scaloni said.[/p][p][b]"We have to place immense value on this because it takes so much effort."[/b][/p][p]Scaloni, 48, said his team must accept defeat with the same grace they showed when celebrating recent successes.[/p][p][b]"We are gracious in victory, and we must be gracious in defeat. Today, we are showing that we know how to lose,"[/b] he said.[/p][p][b]"We lost the match, and we accept it, but that doesn't mean we stop living or forget everything we did to get here."[/b][/p][image alt="Lionel Messi emotional following World Cup 2026 final loss to Spain" id="12e263dd-5e9c-4854-ade0-7248223246a6" credit-line="PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP" guid="ff786f0d-01aa-47f7-8833-75685d698d73" original-width="1400" original-height="933" /][p]He thanked the fans for their incredible support throughout the 2026 tournament.[/p][p][b]"To the people, my players, and the country, I want to say that we gave it our all," [/b]he said.[/p][p][b]"We arrived here facing a realistic situation, but if the players leave everything on the pitch, as they did today, it sets a great example for our people and our country.[/b][/p][p][b]"We have to pick ourselves up again, there is no other way,"[/b] he added.[/p][p]Scaloni said the side's achievement in reaching a second successive final should be appreciated.[/p][p][b]"I certainly value the runners-up spot because it takes so much to get here, and I think it deserves huge recognition," [/b]he said.[/p][p][b]"Naturally, we would have liked to win, but ultimately, I feel gratitude. That is the only word I have, along with sadness, of course.[/b][/p][p][b]"But when you give everything like that, regardless of whether you play well or poorly, it's very hard to find fault."[/b][/p][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/argentina-f9OppQjp/spain-bLyo6mco/?mid=UgbUKPmT"]Check out the Spain-Argentina matchup stats here.[/a][/b][/p][infobox id="4ccc1b10-d68f-4c97-bcf4-5e613c17c2e3" /]