Argentina's Lionel Scaloni shares harsh admission about World Cup final loss to Spain

An Argentina side that featured superstar Lionel Messi and other big-name attacking options was shockingly poor as it suffered a 1-0 loss to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday afternoon. 

Following the defeat, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni spoke honestly about his team's performance in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which left many observers unimpressed. 

Lionel Scaloni: Spain were better than Argentina

"They [Spain] were better, that's the truth," Scaloni admitted, per PA Media (h/t ESPN). "But I'll hold on to an enormous memory of what they've done, of what it's worth to get this far. We're great in victory, and we have to be great in defeat. Today, we're showing that we know how to lose. We lost the match, and we're owning it. But that doesn't mean we'll stop remembering everything we did to get here."

As noted by Fox Sports, Argentina became the third team since 1966 to attempt zero shots during regular time (90 minutes) of a World Cup game. Argentina lost midfielder Enzo Fernandez to a second yellow card just before extra time, and Spain's Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute to give his side a deserved lead and victory. 

"I think in the end, the goal came from 47 million people [approximately the population of Spain], not just those of us that are here," Torres said. "[Sunday] destiny was written, it was made for us to win. We're far from our people today, but we tried to be as close as possible to them. Finals are hard. When you have Messi on the opposing team, you do get worried, but we always backed ourselves and tried to show our football, and I think we managed to do it once again."

Argentina Football Association president seems to support Lionel Scaloni

Per Lizzy Becherano of ESPN, Scaloni's contract expires at the end of 2026, and he did not confirm his intentions while speaking with reporters after the loss. According to ESPN's Adriana Garcia, Argentina Football Association president Claudio Tapia shared a photograph on Instagram that shows him hugging Scaloni after Sunday's final.

"You're amazing," Tapia captioned the post. "We are proud of your work, your dedication, and your love for this national team."

Scaloni led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title and to wins in the 2021 and 2024 Copa America. That said, Adam Crafton of The Athletic is among those who feel that "Argentina disgraced themselves" via their on-the-pitch actions and antics on Sunday. In the end, Spain outshot Argentina to the tune of 20-2 in what likely will go down as Messi's final World Cup game.