Argentina legend, Diego Maradona, has finally commented on the elimination of his country from the 2018 FIFA World Cup. After struggling through to the round of 16, the La Albiceleste eventually bowed out, losing narrowly to France in Saturday’s 4:3 ‘thriller.’
Goals from Angel Di Maria, Gabriel Marcado and Sergio Aguero were not enough as Kylian Mbappe’ s brace and goals from Benjamin Pavard and Antoine Griezmann secured the Les Blues their first ever World Cup win against Argentina in three meetings.
But Maradona has faulted coach Jorge Sampaoli’s tactics for partnering Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria and Pavon in the attack line. “I feel bad for another World Cup, in which Argentina didn’t manage to put out a consistent team,” Maradona told Telesur. “However, it was already seen in the build-up. We knew after we left Moscow that Pavon, Messi and Di María were the ones who were going to attack the French defence, yet I don’t think they know a lot about the box, penalty spot or putting pressure on the centre-backs.”Maradona added, “Yes, they know how to create, but they’re not strikers. “It seems to me this Argentina team never had that. Pavon’s crosses caused very little problems for the French defence.”