“Argentina has everything to win the World Cup”

A few years ago, with his blond hair, long hair and tailored suit, he touched heaven with Racing Club by consecrating him champion of the Apertura Tournament in Argentine soccer. For this reason, El Comercio contacted Reinaldo Carlos Merlobetter known as “Mostaza” Merlo, who this season led Defensores Unidos of the Second Division and analyzes the performance of his country in this Qatar 2022 World Cup.

-Argentina should have added 9 points and in the end they qualified with 6, how do you analyze the three duels of the ‘Albiceleste’ in Qatar 2022?

Well, we knew that in the two remaining games we were going to qualify, because the team is in good shape. He did not have a good participation in the first game, but the team is doing well.

—The good thing that Argentina reacted and will now face Australia in the round of 16?

The first game reminds us that the team did not play badly and in the second half, in 10 minutes, they scored two goals for us, but the team reacted immediately and played very well against Mexico throughout the second half. Even against Poland he played the 90 minutes very well. Now the team is fine. The World Cup is game by game, you have to be calm.

—Is it a bad sign that Messi has missed the penalty?

Messi kicked it well, he kicked hard at medium height. The goalkeeper, during the first half, was the figure of the field. Therefore, he was very good in the penalty.

—How to face Australia, a rival that has been the surprise of Group D?

Argentina has to continue playing as they are playing now: with courage, playing football, with grit, with mobility in all sectors of the pitch. Then you have to take the precautions that the coach will surely take. I saw Australia against Peru and I have seen some World Cup matches. It is a physical team, which scores well and plays well on the counterattack, but I believe that Argentina, being well, should prevail.

—For you, Argentina is a favorite to eliminate Australia and advance to the top in this World Cup?

I think Argentina will win. Favourite? I do not like that word.

—But is Argentina in a position to win the World Cup due to the level shown?

I have no doubt, Argentina is a power with three, four or five more teams. You have to play the games, but you have everything to win the World Cup. In football you always have to play as if it were the last game, you have to drop everything and show that courage and add good football to it.

—What do you think of Rodrigo de Paul, do you think he is the lowest in the midfield? Does he think that extra-soccer troubles have affected him?

No, today he played very well, he always played well, he had a high level, he dropped a little. However, today he played very well. The first match is the one in which he did not play at a high level, but today Rodrigo de Paul played a great match.

—After the victory against Poland, I imagine that the celebration was emotional?

Yes, we are all happy, the places are full of people and we are all happy.

Did this World Cup give you any surprises?

This is day by day, there are teams that play well one day, after three days their level drops, the World Cup is day by day.