Scaloni says Saudi Arabia loss was turning point for Argentina

"After we lost to Saudi Arabia, we felt a love and support from our fans, the entire country, our people, and that was amazing because it gave us the strength and energy that we needed to recuperate," Scaloni told reporters after Argentina swept past Croatia 3-0 in their World Cup semi-final.

"I try not to get emotional but it's difficult because I'm in the dream place for any Argentine. Representing my country is an emotional thing.

"Then you can win or lose, but it's about these guys (the players) and about our people. They have been with us in defeat and it is like nothing I ever experienced."

Unheralded Saudi Arabia notched one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history with their 2-1 win on November 22nd.

But Argentina rose again thanks to a superb 35-year-old Lionel Messi who, on his fifth and final quest for the only major trophy to elude him, has participated in eight of the 12 goals his team have scored in Qatar.

He scored the first against Croatia and was elected man of the match.

Scaloni said he had no doubt Messi was the all-time best player. "For me, it is just remarkable and exciting to watch from inside. Seeing him train, lead the changing room. Every time I see him, he generates something, a spark in his teammates, in people. Not only to the Argentines. Luckily for us, he wears our colours," he said.

Last World Cup match

Messi will earn his 172nd cap at the weekend, but confirmed it will be his last ever World Cup match.

"I feel very happy, to be able to achieve this, to finish my World Cup journey by playing my last game in a final," Messi told Argentine media outlet Diario Deportivo Ole.

"It's many years for the next one and I don't think I'll be able to do it. And to finish like this, it's the best," added the Argentina captain.

With his fifth goal in Qatar, he also surpassed Gabriel Batistuta as the top Albiceleste scorer at World Cups, netting 11 times.

"It's all well and good (the records), but the important thing is to be able to achieve the group objective, which is the most beautiful thing of all," Messi added. "We're just one step away, after fighting hard, and we're going to give everything to try to make it happen this time."

Tuesday's victory prompted thousands of fans to take to the streets in Argentina to celebrate the national team's sixth World Cup final appearance.