Argentina respects all World Cup opponents, says Lionel Scaloni after meeting with the Netherlands

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni defended his side’s conduct during their fiery quarter-final victory over the Netherlands, while today Lionel Messi and company turn their attention to reaching the World Cup final.

The two-time champions meet 2018 finalists Croatia at Lusail Stadium. The winner will meet France or Morocco in the final on Sunday.

Argentina may have been involved in the game of the tournament at this venue in the quarterfinals, as the Orange roared back to make it 2-2 in stoppage time and send the game into extra time.

Scaloni’s side went on to win 4-3 on penalties, but his players were quick to wrong-foot their opponents, with Messi and penalty hero Emiliano Martinez publicly targeting Dutch boss Louis van Gaal.

Referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz issued numerous warnings, while FIFA announced disciplinary action against both associations for misconduct by players and officials during the ill-tempered game.

But Scaloni downplayed the consequences yesterday, stressing: “The previous game was played the way we had to play it by both teams, the Netherlands and Argentina, and that’s football. Sometimes in football you have to defend, attack and in some games things can happen .

“There may be arguments, more challenging times, but that’s all. That’s why there is an arbitrator who is just.

“And we just have to stop thinking that Argentina is just that and that’s the kind of behavior we usually have.

“We lost to Saudi Arabia, we didn’t say anything. We won the Copa America in Brazil and saw the sportiest behavior in Messi. [Leonardo] Paredes and Neymar.

“They were all together in this tunnel of this Maracana stadium, so I really don’t believe in this idea of ​​unsportsmanlike conduct.

“We have to show our pride and we played the game the way we were supposed to play it. And then there is a referee who is responsible for making decisions. The case ends with the referee’s final whistle.

That is why we now respect all teams, the Netherlands, Croatia and all opponents we face. This has been one of our most important traits and personality traits since the first game.

“We have to end the idea that we are not good winners or losers – that is a far cry from who we really are as a team, as a team and as the way we represent this country.”