LIONEL SCALONI was the calmest man in the stadium when his Argentina side took the lead against France this afternoon.
The South Americans went ahead from the penalty spot after 23 minutes, Lionel Messi beating Hugo Lloris from 12 yards.
Messi’s strike prompted pandemonium in the stands, with wife Antonela among those to go wild.
Argentina’s substitutes also got up out of their seats to celebrate, as did most of their coaching staff.
Assistants including legends Walter Samuel and Pablo Aimar waved their fists in delight.
The only man that remained seemingly nonplussed, however, was Scaloni.
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Argentina’s boss was pictured with his arms folded and stony faced – giving little away.
Things got even better for his just 13 minutes later – with Messi again involved.
The Paris Saint-Germain star beautifully flicked the ball on as his side launched a counter-attack, with the ball eventually finding Alexis Mac Allister.
He then slid it over to Di Maria, who brilliantly beat Lloris one on one.
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France’s sluggish display led to boss Didier Deschamps taking drastic measures – making TWO substitutions just five minutes before half-time.
He withdrew attackers Ousmane Dembele and Olivier Giroud – replacing them with Randal Kolo Muani and Marcus Thuram.
Scaloni, 44, hasn’t always kept his cards too close to his chest during the tournament.
Prior to the semi-finals, the former West Ham ace burst into tears during an interview, when asked about the support his side have received from back home.
He also cried after his side’s victory over Croatia, bursting with pride at his side’s achievement.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
