Scaloni breaks down after Argentina’s World Cup final loss to Spain
Telemundo Deportes showed Lionel Scaloni in tears after Spain beat Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final in New York.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
2 min read
Lionel Scaloni’s tears became the image of Argentina’s World Cup heartbreak after Spain defeated the Albiceleste in the 2026 final, according to Telemundo Deportes.
The Argentina coach was shown crying during the post-match news conference in a Telemundo Deportes video published July 19, 2026. The network described the scene as a reflection of the team’s effort and the blow of coming within one match of a second straight World Cup title.
Spain’s victory over Argentina in New York gave La Roja its second World Cup star, Telemundo Deportes reported in its coverage of the final. The network also framed the result as the end of Argentina’s bid to repeat as champion.
Argentina falls one step short
Scaloni’s reaction came after a run that took Argentina all the way back to the final. In separate Telemundo Deportes coverage, the coach thanked his squad, saying there was “agradecimiento eterno” for the players who reached the title match.
The defeat also landed heavily because of the size of the prize. Telemundo Deportes said Argentina had been chasing back-to-back World Cup triumphs before Spain stopped that push in the final.
Former Argentina player Maxi Rodríguez, speaking in Telemundo Deportes coverage, said Spain was a fair winner while also saying Argentina deserved congratulations for its tournament.
Spain celebrates a second star
On the Spanish side, the mood was pure release. Telemundo Deportes reported that Spain lifted the World Cup and received its second star 16 years after its first world title.
Mikel Oyarzabal, interviewed after the final in Telemundo Deportes coverage, said Spain would need time to believe what it had achieved. Ferran Torres said Spain had depended on itself and had shown it on the day, according to the network.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente also spoke after the match, calling it “the best of scripts for a film” and saying it was an honor to coach the players, according to Telemundo Deportes.
Guti, offering analysis for Telemundo Deportes, said Spain had been much better than Argentina in the final. The network’s coverage also showed the Spanish coronation in New York and the celebrations after La Roja’s win.
For Argentina, though, the night was captured by Scaloni at the microphone: a coach unable to hide the cost of getting so close and leaving without the trophy.
This story draws on original reporting from TELEMUNDO.com.