'This is part of our DNA': Lionel Scaloni says Argentina always suffer at World Cup

[p]Forced to come from two goals down in their improbable 3-2 round-of-16 win over [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/egypt/bejDn7NN/"]Egypt[/a], and then pushed to ‌the limit again by a relentless Swiss side, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/scaloni-lionel/A1A2ibcF/"]Scaloni[/a]'s men found answers when the pressure was at its greatest, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/argentina-f9OppQjp/switzerland-rHJ2vy1B/?mid=Wv4IS6zg"]scoring twice ‌deep in extra time to reach the last four[/a].[/p][p]For Scaloni, the ability to suffer without ‌losing belief has become one of the defining characteristics of this [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/argentina/f9OppQjp/"]Argentina[/a] squad.[/p][p][b]"We knew that we were going ‌to suffer, and this is part of our blood, this is part of our DNA, ‌and this brings peace of mind,"[/b] the coach said.[/p][embed guid="7356d105-7b01-4eb7-a280-2edfe9daac1c" url="https://x.com/FIFAWorldCup/status/2076163812034539797" social-type="twitter" /][p]Argentina's path through the tournament has been far from straightforward. They twice squandered leads to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/cape-verde/MocyWdm7/"]Cape Verde[/a] before grinding out a 3-2 victory in the round of 32, and then were 2-0 ‌down to Egypt until the 79th minute before their comeback.[/p][p]Scaloni ⁠believes the experience of Qatar 2022, where they captured ‌the title with a penalty shootout victory over [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/france/QkGeVG1n/"]France[/a], has helped his players navigate those difficult moments.[/p][p][b]"In Qatar, ​we were not that experienced, I myself included, and those kind of situations were very difficult," [/b]he said.[/p][p]"However, now we are more experienced because we know what it feels like ​to be dominated by the opponent, to concede an equaliser, so today we kept our composure. The team knew how to remain calm and, of course, we will never give up."[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/switzerland/rHJ2vy1B/"]Switzerland[/a] looked ⁠capable of derailing Argentina's campaign after they equalised ​in the 67th minute, but [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/alvarez-julian/bBHauDIC/"]Julian Alvarez[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/martinez-lautaro/QHk1CXUh/"]Lautaro Martinez[/a] scored deep in extra time to secure the dramatic victory.[/p][p][b]"It was a tough opponent,"[/b] Scaloni said. [b]"It was very difficult for us to win the duels, to put more than five or six passes together.[/b][/p][p]"They were very strong, and they made that struggle ‌in the one versus one in different areas of the pitch. We suffered quite a lot."[/p][image alt="Match momentum" id="a7d3adba-9822-4967-bdae-e49d4171cd39" credit-line="StatsPerform via Opta" guid="8e0c5736-601f-4cf0-813f-b0b086ddd9f2" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p]Yet even on a day when Argentina were below their best, Scaloni felt his squad's depth and collective belief carried them through.[/p][p][b]"We also have players on the bench who can turn the game on its head, and this is something very good,"[/b] he said. [b]"Ultimately, we always find the solutions."[/b][/p][p]The coach repeatedly returned to the theme of unity in his post-game press conference, crediting a group that has bought into his vision during six demanding weeks together at the tournament.[/p][p][b]"This is thanks to the players because they had to trust in the process,"[/b] he said. [b]"We are a collective side. We are together. We ‌are very much united. And this is proof that football is complicated."[/b][/p][p]Scaloni also highlighted Argentina's improvement ​on set pieces after midfielder [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mac-allister-alexis/fDPhMB8M/"]Alexis Mac Allister[/a] headed home their opening goal from a [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/messi-lionel/vgOOdZbd/"]‌Lionel Messi[/a] corner.[/p][p][b]"Alexis McAllister is one of the greatest. So all praise to him because he's been working very hard,"[/b] Scaloni said.[/p][p]The reward for Argentina is a sixth semi-final appearance in their last six major tournaments.[/p][p][b]"I hadn't thought about it, but this is something to be very proud of,"[/b] he said.[/p][p]If Argentina do lift the trophy again, this campaign may be remembered ⁠less for flowing football than for the stubborn ⁠resilience that has carried them through[/p][p][b]"When you ‌reach a semi-final, you need to suffer,"[/b] Scaloni said. [b]"You need to go through it."[/b][/p][infobox id="4ccc1b10-d68f-4c97-bcf4-5e613c17c2e3" /]