Argentina ´always beyond names´ – Scaloni hails Uruguay victory in Messi´s absence

Lionel Scaloni insisted Argentina are “always beyond names” as the world champions edged out Uruguay, despite Lionel Messi’s absence.

La Albiceleste were without Messi for Friday’s World Cup qualifier in Montevideo, while the likes of Lautaro Martinez and Paulo Dybala were also missing.

Nevertheless, Scaloni’s side emerged with a 1-0 victory, which was sealed by Thiago Almada’s stunning 25-yard strike, to edge closer to sealing their spot at next year’s finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

And the head coach, whose side will secure qualification with a point against Brazil on Tuesday, believes his squad demonstrated their strength in depth.

“The national team is a team. When one is missing, the other enters,” he said. “We had very important casualties, but we have great players to go out on the field.

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“The team is always beyond names. Luckily, we can put players in and the team doesn’t suffer.

“On the right side, they created some situations for us. In the second half, we corrected [those], and another game took place.

“The team played a complete game, absorbed the pressure of the opponent. When we had to play, we did it and when he had to score, too. I was satisfied, not because I won, but because of how the team performed.”

“Whoever plays, we always have the same mentality,” goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez concurred. “This group wants to continue growing and achieving things.

“It was a very tight match. We are proud of this victory. They were intense, and so were we. That’s why we were able to get the game through.”