Former West Ham United striker Dean Ashton says fans will never forget Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni for the wrong reasons.
Scaloni has guided Lionel Messi and the rest of the Argentine squad to the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, beating Croatia 3-0 in the semi-final on Tuesday night.
As Scaloni prepares for the biggest game of his managerial career to date on Sunday evening, Ashton on Wednesday spoke about an afternoon to forget for the former Hammers loanee.
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Back in 2006, Alan Pardew's side faced Liverpool in the FA Cup final at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, the last to be played there before the fixture returned to Wembley Stadium. Scaloni joined from Spanish side Deportivo in January on a short-term deal but ended up being on the losing side when it looked like he would grab a winner's medal during his short stay.
With West Ham leading 3-2 with seconds left, a half-clearance from the then-defender ended up falling to Steven Gerrard to finished expectedly from outside the box past a sprawling Shaka Hislop. The Reds ended up winning on penalties and the final was dubbed 'The Steven Gerrard final'.
“West Ham fans will never forget him, as will I not,” Ashton said on talkSPORT. “Well I mean, he came on loan he did six-months, was a great character, did well for us, FA Cup final, all he needs to do is smash it back to [Reds goalkeeper Pepe] Reina or put it out into the stands.
“He shanks his clearance, goes back into our box, and [Steven] Gerrard scores.”
Scaloni started the game at right back and West Ham went ahead thanks to a Jamie Carragher own goal after 20 minutes. Ashton doubled the lead seven minutes later, only for Djbril Cisse to pull a goal back with the score 2-1 at half time.
Gerrard equalised nine minutes after the break but the Irons regained the lead through Paul Konchesky with 25 minutes remaining. But in the 91st minute, following Scaloni's half-clearance, Gerrard volleyed home to draw Liverpool level.
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