NEW YORK, July 20 -- Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni admitted that Spain deserved to win the World Cup, saying his team had been outplayed in Sunday's final.

The defending champion had scored late goals to win each of its four previous knockout games but was unable to muster another dramatic escape at New York New Jersey Stadium.

"I feel sad," Scaloni said after the match. "One could say many things about how we got here, but it's not worth it. I just want to give my endless thanks to these players who once again took us to the final.

"They [Spain] were better, that's true, but I will have tremendous memories of what my players achieved. We are great in victory and must be so in defeat as well. Tonight, we show that we know how to los...