The truth behind Verón’s gesture at the 2002 World Cup and what Bielsa told him

The Argentine National Team was left out of the Korea-Japan World Cup and at the end could not take advantage of a last bullet in the feet of the Little Witch. What did the Fool ask of him before the execution?

June 12, 2002 is a black date for the Argentine National Team. That day the Albiceleste commanded by Marcelo Bielsa said goodbye to Korea-Japan World Cup in the group stage after drawing 1-1 with Sweden. More than 20 years after the sad event, FIFA recalled one of the most iconic moments of that match: the back and forth between Bielsa and Juan Sebastián Verón before the last free kick.

“Do not fall short”: Bielsa’s request to Verón before the last free throw in Argentina vs. Sweden

“Behind every moment of the FIFA World Cup there is a story. Korea-Japan 2002. Argentina on the verge of elimination. Free shot. And so…”, titled @fifaworldcup_es in his post. The images show a specific request from Bielsa for Verón: “Seba, Seba, Seba, don’t fall short”.

Then, the current vice president of Students of La Plata he looked at him and made the famous gesture of raising the palm of his hand as a sign of calm. However, finally the execution was short and Bielsa reiterated to himself: “Don’t fall short, Seba”.

The disappointment of the Argentine National Team in the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup

The 2002 World Cup is considered one of the biggest failures of the Argentine National Team in the World Cups. La Albiceleste arrived at the big event as favorite after a dream South American Qualifiers: 13 wins, four draws and one loss in 18 games.

However, in the World Cup what nobody expected happened: Argentina was eliminated in the first round. Despite the narrow win against Nigeria in the debut with a goal from Gabriel Batistuta, Bielsa’s team fell to England in the second and then did not go beyond the draw against Sweden in the last game of the group.

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