Argentine media praise team’s gracious conduct despite World Cup final loss

Despite criticism from international public opinion, Argentine local media still gave positive assessments of their team's performance during and after Sunday's FIFA World Cup final against Spain. Argentine mainstream newspapers published articles stating that, despite the chaotic scenes on the field after the defeat to Spain in the FIFA World Cup final, the Argentine team still "lost with their heads held high, defeated but glorious." The British "Daily Telegraph" reviewed some of the Argentine media's reports.

Argentina's leading newspaper, "Clarín," commented on the Argentine national team: "There were only a few regrettable individual clashes throughout the match; otherwise, the whole team behaved properly and courteously."

The sports social media account of "Clarín" stated: "The team displayed many rare and wonderful qualities, both on and off the field, to an unprecedented extent. They taught everyone a lesson, both on and off the field, showing what our ideal country should look like..."

Editor Silvia Fesquet lavished praise: "Whether on or off the field, the Argentine team demonstrated valuable qualities that are very rare today. The players did not slander their opponents, nor did they shirk responsibility or excuse their mistakes by blaming others."

"Clarín"'s competitor, "La Nación," also praised the players for maintaining their dignity in defeat. The newspaper's headline for its final special feature read: "The team gained the most precious thing – the love and recognition of the people, even if they couldn't stand on the champion's podium."

The front-page headline of "La Nación" read: "Argentina gave their all, they are the pride of the entire nation." The newspaper stated that the entire Argentine team "lost with their heads held high" and that the players' consistent wearing of their silver medals is commendable. Even without the championship, they left a glorious mark on the major tournament.

However, in its review of the match, the newspaper did not offer blind praise and directly pointed out the team’s shortcomings. Claudio Mauri, "La Nación"'s chief sports reporter, noted that Argentina had zero shots on target in the regular 90 minutes, while Spain’s continuous, fluid passing and control of the tempo physically and mentally exhausted the Argentine players.

"La Nación" also published an article specifically describing the scene of captain Messi in tears, writing: "All Argentines embrace Messi, thank you Leo, you have already brought us countless joys."

Buenos Aires' "Página/12" stated that, despite the defeat in the final, the fighting spirit shown by this Argentine team under Scaloni over five years will always be remembered around the world.

The newspaper also playfully speculated that Argentina's defensive tactics throughout the match were actually a statement intended to contrast with the naive attacking and weak defending styles of France and England in the third-place play-off, in which a total of ten goals were scored.

At the end of the article, the newspaper expressed gratitude for the team's dominant era spanning five years and nine days since winning the 2021 Copa América: "After tasting countless glories and joys, we can now only accept the regret and bitterness of being runners-up."

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