Happy Argentina Qualify For The 2022 World Cup, Scaloni: What A Year

JAKARTA - Argentina drew 0-0 against Brazil on Tuesday local time or Wednesday WIB, becoming the second South American team to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. Coach Lionel Scaloni was delighted by flattering his players in ending what he called an extraordinary year.

The draw and other results saw Argentina overtake Brazil to the Qatar World Cup finals with four to five games remaining.

The feat came four months after Scaloni led Argentina to the Copa America which was their first major trophy in 28 years.

"It's been a great year", said the former Lazio, Deportivo La Coruna, and West Ham player. "Winning the Copa, qualifying for the World Cup unbeaten. It was a dream."

Scaloni had never been head coach when in 2018 he was appointed to coach Argentina but he has turned Argentina into a team that can look to Qatar with great optimism.

Lionel Messi is finally enjoying his international football after years of ups and downs with the Argentina national team which together with the increasingly influential anchor Rodrigo De Paul made Argentina look established and solid.

The most visible is that Scaloni has patched up a fragile defense, especially in the goalkeeper position after Emiliano Martinez turned into the most reliable goalkeeper they have today.

Argentina has conceded just six goals in 13 qualifying matches or just two more than Brazil.

The draw against their arch-rivals was Argentina's 27th unbeaten game in more than two years and came just days after they beat Uruguay 1-0 in Montevideo.

"We got four points from two very tough opponents", said Scaloni. "We all want to win, of course, but this game makes the team mature".