Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister is pleased the World Cup final will be contested between two nations that ‘truly play good football’.
England’s bid to reach their first World Cup final in 60 years came up short as Thomas Tuchel’s side were beaten 2-1 by defending champions Argentina.
The Three Lions went ahead in the second half when Anthony Gordon swept home Morgan Rogers’ superb cross at the back post.
But England quickly retreated into their shell, paying the price for a slew of negative substitutions as late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez saw Argentina complete a dramatic late turnaround.
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Argentina now progress to Sunday’s final to take on Spain as they look to become just the third nation to win successive World Cups.
And Liverpool midfielder Mac Allister admitted his side face a tough challenge against Spain, who he sees as ‘one of the best in the world’.
‘There are no words to describe it, but well, now we’re in a final, and obviously we want to win it,’ he said, speaking to Telefe post-match.
‘We have to start thinking about that, because we’re playing against a team that’s one of the best in the world, right up there with us, that plays very good football, that tries hard.’
And after a scrappy semi-final clash against England, which went over 30 minutes before the game’s first shot, Mac Allister is hopeful that Sunday will be a more eye-catching affair.
‘From our side, it’s exactly the same, so hopefully it will be a great final, not only for us but for everyone in general, that they enjoy it,’ he said.
‘Because I think that at a time when football is becoming much more physical, it’s important that two teams that truly play good football reach this point.’
Asked about England’s defensive tactics towards the end of the semi-final, Mac Allister was more diplomatic, insisting: ‘I don’t think it was their fault.
‘I think we played a really good second half from the beginning to the end, even when they scored the first goal, I felt like we were in a really good position and having control, but after we brought our Argentinian fire and maybe they went to a more defensive lineup.
‘But that’s football and normally the way you defend when you are getting crosses from everywhere.’
Elsewhere, Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni said his side could tell that England were doubting themselves in the closing stages of the match.
‘We were under a bit of pressure, but the opponent doubted themselves,’ Scaloni said in his post-match press conference. ‘We all felt it, we smelt blood and went for it.
‘There was a vacuum inside [England’s] goal. The ball went in after hitting the post twice. After England scored we showed a lot about our football. It’s more than tactics and playing pretty football.’
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