The coach of Argentina, Lionel Scalonideclared himself satisfied on Thursday with his team’s performance after beating Chile 3-0 in the seventh round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and admitted that in the previous tribute paid to winger Ángel Di María he told him that he had the doors open, if he were to reconsider his farewell to the Albiceleste. He defined the former Real Madrid player as “a legend” of the Argentine national team and revealed during a press conference after the match that he told him that he has the “doors open” if he wants to return.
The squad and the Argentine Football Association (AFA) paid an emotional tribute to the 36-year-old player before the match. Scaloni considered today’s result “fair” and highlighted the performance of forwards Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez.
“In the end I think the result is fair, we won well,” said the coach who on July 14 led the Albiceleste to its second consecutive Copa America title. Asked about the decision to use Álvarez and Martínez in the absence of Lionel Messi and Ángel di María, who was honored today in his farewell to the national team, Scaloni said that “they complement each other and understand each other well.”
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Regarding the injured departures of Nicolás González and Alexis Mac Allister, he explained that it is still too early to know if he will count on them for the match on September 10 against Colombia in Barranquilla. The coach described that match as “a very difficult match” and Colombia, which he defeated 1-0 in the Copa América final, as a “very good team.”
With Thursday’s victory over Chile, Argentina consolidated its position as leader of the standings, with 18 points after seven games.
