“It Hurts, It Hurts” - Scaloni Reflects on Argentina’s Painful World Cup Loss

“It hurts, it hurts,” Scaloni said, summing up the pain of seeing Argentina surrender their world crown after a hard-fought campaign that ended just one step short of glory.

The reigning champions were unable to find a breakthrough against a disciplined Spain side, whose clinical display secured a 1-0 victory over the Argentines and a second World Cup title for La Roja.

Argentina, who had thrilled fans throughout the tournament coming from behind on two occasions to win, to go through to the next phase, were left to reflect on a disappointing final in which they failed to register a shot on target.

An emotional Scaloni praised his players for their commitment and resilience throughout the competition, insisting they had given everything despite the painful outcome.

He admitted the defeat would take time to process but urged his squad to remain proud of what they had achieved by reaching another World Cup final, two in two successions, coming to the tournaments as the Champions.

The Argentine manager also thanked the supporters who travelled across the globe to back the team, acknowledging that their unwavering belief made the defeat even more difficult to accept.

Although the final ended in heartbreak, Scaloni’s tenure continues to rank among the most successful in Argentina’s history, having guided La Albiceleste to multiple major honours and another appearance on football’s biggest stage.

Whether he remains in charge beyond the tournament remains uncertain, but his emotional reaction reflected the deep bond he shares with his players and the nation. For Argentina, the pain of defeat will linger. As Scaloni poignantly put it: “It hurts, it hurts.”