Lionel Scaloni has accused World Cup final referee Slavko Vincic of making a costly error that contributed to Enzo Fernande’s World Cup final sending off.
The Chelsea midfielder scored a sensational equaliser that helped rescue his side from the brink of defeat against England earlier this week, but he turned villain on Sunday when he was given his marching orders in the 93rd minute.
While there could be no arguments about the award of a second yellow card following a needless lunge on the halfway line that sent Pau Cubarsi into orbit, Scaloni felt the match official was overzealous 10 minutes earlier when he cautioned the Chelsea star for dissent.
‘Enzo’s sending-off, I think the referee could have avoided giving him that first yellow card, but well, it is what it is,’ said an emotional Scaloni in his post-match press conference.
‘It’s a final, there are things that could have been avoided, but it’s over now.’
Fernandez’s rush of blood left Argentina at a numerical disadvantage that was almost immediately exploited in extra-time whenFerran Torres strokes home the decisive goal in the 106th minute.
Despite the heartbreaking nature of the defeat Scaloni, who will now assess his future before making a decision as to whether or not he stands down, couldn’t hide his pride in a group of players who had defied the odds to reach the final.
‘It was a dream to play for everyone and we tried up until the very last minute,’ Scaloni said.
‘The staff, the players and me. I believe it’s only fair that I can take this time for myself to think [things] through. This place is wonderful. It is a dream place. I never in my life would’ve though, please bear with me, would’ve imagined — including my staff — that we would at this place.
‘So to continue you need a great deal of things: resetting your mind and rebooting [because] creating a group like this again that is very difficult to create it again. And this is really painful. I’m very sorry.’
Lionel Messi, too, is yet to make a decision on his international future amid speculation he will call time on his glittering international career.
‘He’s 39 years old, it’s unbelievable,’ Scaloni said. ‘There’s nothing new to discover from my side. It was crystal clear he was going to play until he decided not to.
‘All of our people support him and I hope everyone is proud of what he’s achieved because he’s the best player to ever stand on a pitch.’