Diego Lugano denounced that 'Argentina was helped to be world champion': one by one, how were the penalties in Qatar 2022

"They helped Argentina become world champions. There is no doubt that they gave him a help. They will have their merits, but four of the five penalties they charged him were not. Totally forced. That's a reality." Thus, without turns, Diego Lugano, former Uruguayan defender, spoke without blushing and detracted from the triumph of Lionel Scaloni's National Team in the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Strong.

He said this Monday afternoon on Radio Carbe, in Uruguay, where he was interviewed and nothing was saved. Apparently, he did not like at all that the Scaloneta will reach the third star for the AFA.

Even, within his curious hypothesis, he placed Lionel Messi as an influence factor. "But hey, it's also the merit of Messi, who moves a lot worldwide. Do you think that FIFA does not see it and does not serve it? It is also to Argentina's credit, which knew how to take advantage of that." Controversial wherever it is observed. And with little foundation,

The penalties, one by one

Lugano was not specific when talking about the penalties that, according to his eyes, "helped" the Argentine National Team. What were those actions?

The first came in the debut against Saudi Arabia. It was in the 7th minute when Slavko Vincic, at the behest of VAR, determined that Leandro Paredes was taken by Mohamed Kanno inside the area after a corner from the left. It is true that the Juventus player let himself fall, but the Saudi infraction existed, as he tied his rival.

The second penalty was against Poland, in the third match of the first phase, and is perhaps the only controversial one. It 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 center by Julian Alvarez and then lay on the floor. There did not appear to be a strike of infraction. Just a touch. There was divine justice because Leo lost in the one-on-one with the Polish goalkeeper.

Then came the penalty against the Netherlands. There was no discussion. Denzel Dumfries brought down Marcos Acuña inside the box for Messi to make it 2-0. Later the Europeans reached the tie in the tenth minute of discount and everything led to that hot definition from the 12 steps that had as heroes to the Martinez: Dibu saved two and Lautaro sealed the dispute.

The fourth maximum penalty was in the semi-final against Croatia. There Julián Álvarez fell in the hand to hand against the goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic and the Italian Daniele Orsato did not hesitate to score penalty. While the action is finite and could be considered a clash, it was clear with VAR reviews that the Manchester City winger falls as a result of contact with the Croatian's outstretched leg. In short, it does not admit discussion.

And Ousmane Dembelé's penalty on Angel Di Maria in the final did not admit discussion either. It is that the French striker, in a clumsy movement, causes the fall of Fideo by lightly touching his ankle from behind. It's a stride. It was an infringement.

Anger for Uruguay, happy for Bielsa

Lugano's anger stemmed from his anger over Uruguay's elimination in the first round. There, too, the former São Paulo of Brazil saw ghosts. "I'm not going to talk about the refereeing of the Qatar World Cup, because they were a disgrace. In Qatar I grabbed the arm of the skinned (Pierluigi) Collina and said: What happened to Uruguay? What did they do with us? And he told me: 'They were interpretation plays,'" he lamented in reference to the refereeing rulings that, according to his eyes, pushed La Celeste to elimination.

The 2-0 over Ghana, which marked Uruguay's farewell to the last World Cup, generated an immense anger among the players, who at the end of the game starred in a scandal that led to severe sanctions for Josema Giménez (who assaulted a FIFA official), Fernando Muslera, Edinson Cavani (knocked down the VAR monitor) and Diego Godín.

Already a little calmer, Lugano was happy for the appointment of Marcelo Bielsa in front of the Uruguay National Team. "Obviously I am a fan of the Uruguayan players and coaches, but today football is very globalized. Marcelo Bielsa is one of the few coaches who are not Uruguayans who can lead Uruguay," he started.

He continued: "We're going to see other things play and train about this sport. Locally it can shake us up a bit, we need a figure like Bielsa. Also when it comes to playing the matches, because even in our best moment in the selection we still have some conservatives. There is not a player who has been managed by him who does not speak wonders. Globally it positions us, without a doubt."

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