FOOTBALL – ADVERSITY, said coach Lionel Scaloni as his side staged another dramatic comeback to book a place in Sunday’s World Cup final.
The holders came from 1-0 down to equalise with five minutes left and then snatched a stoppage-time winner to beat England 2-1 and secure a meeting with Spain in New York at the weekend.
It was another remarkable recovery for an Argentina side who ground out another victory as they had throughout the knockout rounds, beating Cape Verde and Switzerland in extra time and coming from 2-0 down to defeat Egypt 3-2.
“I honestly think this team plays its best football when it’s under pressure,” Scaloni told a post-match press conference. “When we’re struggling, and the opponent hesitates just a little, we smell blood and we go for it with everything we’ve got. That’s the feeling this team gives me.
“I’m happy because the team fought until the very end, and that’s fundamental for me.”