Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni admitted that Spain were the better team, following his country's 0-1 extra-time loss in the 2026 World Cup final on Sunday.

Substitute Ferran Torres scored the winner in the second half of extra time, as Spain finally broke through Argentina's defense, who finished the match with ten men, to decide the clash at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

The South American champions, led by their star Lionel Messi, aimed to become the first team to win consecutive World Cup titles since 1962.

Scaloni said: 'They were the better team, that's the truth, but I will keep the memory of my team, what they achieved, and the value of reaching this stage.'

He added: 'We must give this achievement great value because it required enormous effort.'

Scaloni stressed that his team must accept defeat with the same spirit they celebrated their recent successes, adding: 'We are humble in victory, and we must be the same in defeat. Today we prove we know how to lose.'

He added: 'We lost the match and we accept that, but that doesn't mean we stop living or forget everything we did to get here.'

He also thanked the fans for their exceptional support throughout the 2026 tournament: 'I want to say to the fans, the players, and the country that we gave everything we had.'

He added: 'We arrived here fully aware of the reality, but when the players leave everything on the pitch, as they did today, it sets a great example for our people and our country. We must rise again, there is no other way.'

Scaloni (48) considered that Argentina reaching the final for the second consecutive time is an achievement worthy of recognition.

He said: 'I definitely appreciate the runner-up position, because getting here requires a lot, and I think it deserves great recognition.'

He added: 'Of course we wanted to win, but in the end I feel grateful. That is the only word I have, along with sadness of course.'

He continued: 'But when you give your all like that, whether you play well or not, it's very hard to find something to blame yourself for.'