Argentina defeats Mauritania, but Scaloni criticizes the team’s performance.

Argentina, the current world champion, faced Mauritania in a friendly match that, despite a 2-1 victory, left many questions unanswered. The game, held as part of the preparation for the 2026 World Cup, served as a wake-up call for the team led by Lionel Scaloni, who did not hesitate to criticize his side’s performance.

The Argentine goals were scored by Enzo Fernández and Nico Paz, who brought hope to the fans by putting the team ahead early in the match, at 17 and 32 minutes, respectively. However, Mauritania did not let their spirits drop, and in stoppage time, Jordan Lefort reduced the deficit, showing that the African side also had much to offer.

After the final whistle, Scaloni was outspoken. “It was not a good game,” he admitted, emphasizing that the team must draw “many conclusions” from the performance. The Argentine coach warned that “there are no easy opponents” and that the difficulty in maintaining a good level of play is a reality that can affect any team. “When we lower our level, things get complicated. And this happens to everyone; football is very balanced,” he highlighted.

Scaloni also expressed satisfaction at having given opportunities to young talents like Giay and Rojas, who made their debut in a match that was not going well. “We gave the boys a chance in a game that was not going well. It’s always better to come in under different circumstances, but with so little time before the World Cup, we needed to see them,” he stated, highlighting the strategy of integrating new players into the squad.

Lionel Messi, who played the entire second half, was another point of focus. The coach explained the decision to keep him on the field: “I spoke to him about playing for a bit, and we decided that way.” The presence of the Argentine superstar, even in a less successful game, continues to be a motivational factor for the team and the fans.

With the World Cup approaching, Argentina has much work to do. Scaloni’s words resonate as a warning: mistakes need to be corrected, and the level of competitiveness must be raised, as the path to defending the title will not be easy. The performance against Mauritania may have raised concerns, but it also presents a valuable opportunity for the team to prepare for the challenges ahead.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.