If Argentina’s teamwork, application and effort during the World Cup qualifiers had been anything close to their post-Ecuador match dressing room performance then they’d have secured a berth in Russia a long time ago.
Celebrating like they’d won the tournament, the scenes were great and should fill football following Argentine hearts with some hope. It clearly means a great deal to the players, and the relief of actually qualifying could now lead to a period where the team actually impress on a regular basis.
It could be just what Jorge Sampaoli ordered.
Brazil’s Globo Esporte naturally look for the controversial angle and point out the Argentina players, videoed by Otamendi, were seen singing something along the lines of “It’s not important what the p*** journalists say”.
Argentina’s squad, Otamendi among them, have been on the end of a lot of criticism over the qualifying period, a lot of it justified, but the Manchester City player and others clearly feel things went too far at times, and are responding as part of their celebrations.
