Accusations of “referee favoritism” have followed Argentina for years, and they resurfaced after the Albiceleste’s quarterfinal win over Switzerland — a match where Breel Embolo’s red card left Argentina with a man advantage. But inside the Argentine camp, those claims don’t sting. In fact, former international César “Chelito” Delgado says they do the opposite.

In an interview with Claro Sports on W Radio, Delgado explained that Argentina actually feeds off outside noise.

“For me, Argentina won its games fairly on the field. The team gets stronger with those accusations. Argentina suffered in most matches and defended well. When they had to sit back, they did. When they were attacked, they suffered but handled it,” he said.

Argentina knows how to suffer — and survive

Delgado believes the reigning world champions have mastered the art of suffering through tough matches. Their mental strength, he says, is unmatched.

“Argentina is strong in every sense, especially mentally and as a group. When things look bad, they look at each other and know they have to defend with soul and heart. They’ve shown it, and they showed it again last night. Maybe before they didn’t suffer as much, but now they do it very well when they need to defend.”

This resilience, Delgado argues, is one of the team’s defining traits — a collective toughness that allows them to endure pressure and turn adversity into momentum.

Elite talent sets Argentina apart

Despite the global rise in football quality, Delgado insists Argentina still has something special: players with true hierarchy, capable of changing a match in seconds.

“All national teams keep growing in their football and their style, but Argentina has something that sets it apart — players with great hierarchy who can change a game instantly. They have forwards who are natural scorers, and they proved it last night.”

Argentina may face criticism, but according to Delgado, that only sharpens their edge. With mental strength, unity, and world‑class talent, the Albiceleste continues to thrive under pressure — and even seems to enjoy it.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.