Argentina international, Nicolas Tagliafico, has said that the Albiceleste’s defeat in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final against Spain was caused by a mix of exhaustion, subpar pitch conditions and high temperatures that were adjusted for television scheduling.
The defending champions were pushed into extra time on two occasions during the four knockout matches leading up to the final.
They also managed to come back from a two-goal deficit in the last 11 minutes against Egypt in the Round of 16, as well as from a goal down in the final five minutes of the semi-final against England.
Messi and his teammates triumphed over Cabo Verde with a score of 3-2 in extra time, followed by a similar 3-2 victory against Egypt in the Round of 16.
They again required extra time to secure a 3-1 win over 10-man Switzerland in the quarter-finals, before defeating England 2-1 in the semi-finals.
