Lionel Scaloni said England were undone by their own self-doubt in defeat by Argentina.
Scaloni’s Albiceleste were staring elimination in the face when they went behind early in the second half thanks to Anthony Gordon’s opener, but pulled off an impressive comeback thanks to goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez.
Where Thomas Tuchel’s defensive substitutions and generally negative response to England’s opener has come under fire, Scaloni’s has been lauded. The matchwinner Martinez had come off the bench, with fellow substitutes Rodrigo De Paul and Gonzalo Montiel helping to keep England pegged back in the latter stages.
Speaking at full-time, a jubilant Scaloni revealed he spotted a mental weakness in England which helped Argentina pull off a dramatic comeback - their second of this tournament - and even admitted his side should have scored more after finishing the match on a spell of heavy pressure.
“We were under (pressure) a bit, but the opponent doubted themselves,” he declared. “We smelt blood and went for it. We all felt it.
“There was a vacuum inside (England’s) goal. The ball went in after hitting the post twice.
“After England scored we showed a lot about our football. It’s more than tactics and playing pretty football.”
Defending champions Argentina will now return to the World Cup final, where they will face Luis de la Fuente’s formidable Spain side, which stunned a formidable France in its own semi-final on Tuesday.
Scaloni promised his side would leave it all on the pitch as they look to win a fourth World Cup and second in a row, imploring supporters back home to enjoy the occasion.
“The people of Argentina should celebrate being in a final. This group of players is difficult to describe in words. They are so special. I’m getting emotional. They fight for everything.
“We’re going to try to win the final. But what else does this team need to do? There isn’t much else to say. I’m eternally grateful to this group of players.
“The players who entered off the bench were so important. Going home knowing that they gave everything is what football is all about.”
