Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni addresses criticism of his team’s performances ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals. According to NDTV, Scaloni says the defending champions have “earned” their place in the last four despite concerns raised about how Argentina have played during the tournament. He responds by dismissing the negative assessments and focusing on the team’s progress to the semi-finals. The coverage presents Scaloni’s comments as an effort to steady attention on the team’s upcoming match, rather than revisit earlier performances or debate criticisms. Overall, the reporting centers on Scaloni’s stance that Argentina’s results are sufficient to justify their position in the semi-finals, and that outside criticism does not change the team’s qualification or readiness for the next stage.