Diego Lugano denounces that “they helped Argentina become world champions”: one by one, like the penalties in Qatar 2022

“They helped Argentina become world champions. There is no doubt that they have given him a hand. They will have their merits, but four of the five penalties charged were not. Totally forced. This is a reality”. So, without turning around Diego Luganoa former Uruguayan defender, he spoke without blushing and belittled the triumph of Lionel Scaloni’s national team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Strong.

He said it this Monday afternoon in Carbe radio, from Uruguay, where he was interviewed and nothing was saved. Apparently, he didn’t like it at all that Scaloneta gets the third star for the AFA.

Even within his curious hypothesis, he placed Lionel Messi as an influencing factor. “But well, it’s also thanks to Messi, who moves a lot around the world. Do you think FIFA doesn’t see him and doesn’t serve him? Also thanks to Argentina, who knew how to take advantage of it”. Controversial wherever you look at it And with little reason

The sanctions, one by one

Lugano was not precise when speaking of the penalties which, in its opinion, “helped” the Argentine national team. What were those actions?

The first came on his debut against Saudi Arabia. It was after 7 minutes when Slavko Vincic, at the request of the VAR, ruled that Leandro Paredes was caught by Mohamed Kanno inside the area after a corner from the left. It’s true that the Juventus player went down, but the Saudi infringement took place, given that he equalized his rival.

The second penalty was against Poland, in the third match of the first stage, and is perhaps the only controversial one. Is that the Dutch judge Danny Makkelie went to the VAR and saw an alleged foul by goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny on Lionel Messi, who headed a cross from Julián Álvarez and then lay down on the ground. There didn’t appear to be a breach shot. Just a touch. There was divine justice because Leo lost one-on-one with the Polish goalkeeper.

Then came the penalty against the Netherlands. There was no discussion. Denzel Dumfries lowered Marcos Acuña inside the box for Messi to make it 2-0. Subsequently, the Europeans reached a draw in the tenth minute and everything led to that hot definition from the 12 passes that had the Martínez as heroes: Dibu saved two and Lautaro sealed the lawsuit.

The fourth maximum penalty came in the semi-final against Croatia. There Julián Álvarez went down one-on-one to goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic and Italian Daniele Orsato didn’t hesitate to score a penalty. Although the action was over and could be considered an accident, it was clear from the VAR reviews that the Manchester City forward went down as a result of contact with the Croatian’s outstretched leg. In short, it does not allow discussions.

And Ousmane Dembélé’s late penalty on Ángel Di María didn’t cause discussion either. It is that the French attacker, with an awkward movement, makes Fideo fall by lightly touching his ankle from behind. It’s a journey. It was a violation.

Fight for Uruguay, happy for Bielsa

Lugano’s anger stemmed from its anger at Uruguay’s first-round elimination. Even there the former São Paulo of Brazil has seen ghosts. “I won’t talk about the World Cup referees in Qatar, because they were a shame. In Qatar I took the bald (Pierluigi) Collina by the arm and I said to him: what happened to Uruguay? What did they do with us? And he said to me: ‘They were games of interpretation’ “, he complained referring to the arbitration awards which, in his opinion, would have pushed Celeste to elimination.

The 2-0 defeat of Ghana, which marked Uruguay’s farewell to the last World Cup, generated immense anger among the players, who, towards the end of the match, staged a scandal that led to sanctions severe for Josema Giménez (who attacked a FIFA official), Fernando Muslera, Edinson Cavani (overturned the VAR monitor) and Diego Godín.

Already a little calmer, Lugano is happy with the appointment of Marcelo Bielsa at the helm of the Uruguayan national team. “Obviously I’m a fan of Uruguayan players and coaches, but today football is very globalized. Marcelo Bielsa is one of the few non-Uruguayan coaches who can lead Uruguay,” he began.

And he continued: “We will see other things played and coached in this sport. At a local level it can shake us a bit, we need a figure like Bielsa. Even when it comes to playing, because even at the best” At the moment in the national team we continue to have something conservative. There is no player who has been directed by him who does not say miracles. All over the world he positions us, without a doubt.”