Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni believes this World Cup has been a great equalizer as traditional superpowers struggle to assert their dominance.
Defending champion Argentina goes into the World Cup final 16 against Egypt on Tuesday after a big scare against Cape Verde.
Scaloni’s side won all three group matches and were rarely tested, but Cape Verde took extra time and Argentina’s eventual 3-2 victory was greeted with relief rather than joy.
France were second four years ago and needed a penalty to beat Paraguay in the round of 16. Spain passed Portugal thanks to a goal in extra time, while Brazil and Germany have already been eliminated.
«I think this World Cup is very difficult for everyone, it seems that there is no clear favorite,» Scaloni said at a packed press conference on Monday.
«There are no national teams that, as we saw before the World Cup, were clear favorites. The conditions are also very different from what we had seen in previous editions.»
«And I understand that most players have played a lot of games, and that is a lot of games on the legs. And that is why the level may not be the level we are used to.»
“Apart from the fact that there are four or five big favourites, these teams are not showing the football we would expect before the World Cup.”
Despite the drop in level during the tournament, as Scaloni sees it, he is satisfied with his team’s performance so far.
«Argentina’s level is acceptable,» the manager said.
«We won the four games and I think that is a reason to be satisfied. There are always things we can refine, even when you win.»
CONTEST EXAMPLE | Argentina seems to be recovering from the fear in Cape Verde against disciplined Egypt
«This World Cup is difficult. The travel, the heat, the fields, the grass… sometimes the ball doesn’t move well. There are many factors that make it difficult to really show your superiority.»
When the going gets tough, as it did for Argentina in the last match, Scaloni believes his side will find a way out even if he doesn’t play well.
“If in a match things don’t go your way or the opponent makes things difficult for you, you can resort to courage, to intensity, to the spirit that we have in our DNA,” he said.
«And this is something this team has. You can play better or worse, but if you can’t play well, you need all that. Otherwise you are out. I am convinced that if we had not played on our character in the last game, we would have been out.»
Published on July 7, 2026
