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Former Argentina star Angel Di Maria reached out emotionally to his national teammates following their heartbreaking extra-time defeat to Spain in the World Cup final. The veteran winger expressed his pride and admiration for Lionel Scaloni’s squad, stressing that one loss could never diminish what this generation has achieved for their country.

Champions relinquish their crown

Argentina’s bid to defend their world title ended in agony after a narrow 1-0 defeat to Spain in New York. Reduced to ten men after Enzo Fernandez was sent off, the Albiceleste finally conceded in the 106th minute when substitute Ferran Torres struck from close range past Emiliano Martinez. The result meant Argentina matched Germany’s record for the most runner-up finishes in World Cup history.

Di Maria honours a golden generation

Though no longer part of the playing squad, Di Maria moved quickly to lift the spirits of his former teammates by posting a deeply emotional message on Instagram.

The iconic winger emphasised that this defeat could never diminish the legacy built by this extraordinary group. Di Maria wrote: “A whole country is proud of you. You united the nation again with the love and courage you showed in this World Cup.

“You are part of history, you are legends, and no one can ever take that away from you. The greatest national team our country has ever seen. Five consecutive finals—no one will ever erase that. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING.”

Argentina’s difficult final chapter

For the reigning champions, the final turned into a frustrating night as they failed to produce a single shot during normal time—making them the first team in World Cup final history to do so. The match was tense and physical, with Lisandro Martinez suffering a serious first-half injury and Enzo Fernandez receiving a red card just before extra time.

While Spain celebrated becoming the first country ever to simultaneously hold both the men’s and women’s world titles, Argentina were left to grapple with the painful close of their golden era.

Scaloni faces major rebuilding task

This crushing defeat now forces Lionel Scaloni to reassess his tactical setup and address the challenge of an ageing squad. His next big task will be to integrate younger talents such as Nico Paz swiftly, ensuring Argentina remain competitive as a new international cycle begins.