Burgos reveals Bielsa's reaction after Argentina's 2002 World Cup elimination

G erman Burgos has revealed the reaction of former Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa after being knocked out from the 2002 World Cup.

That Argentina side is remembered as one of the most talented, but also one of the most underachieving in the history of the national team.

Their elimination in the group stage surprised many neutrals and frustrated the Argentines, including Bielsa who burst into tears in the dressing room after their last game against Sweden.

"After the elimination, something strange happened in that dressing room," said Burgos who was second-choice goalkeeper for Argentina.

"Marcelo, when a competition ends, whether at clubs or national teams, he has a final meeting in the dressing room.

"He always wanted to do a third half, like in rugby, but without soda and food.

"Just after the game with Sweden, he tried to have that meeting with the players, but he couldn't, he wanted to talk and started crying.

"I got up, went to hug him and the fitness coach [Luis Maria] Bonini and I left.

"That's it, the meeting did not take place, we were all so sad, as that was impossible.

"I was able to hug him, I recognised his honesty."

Burgos was expected to start that match but Bielsa took a last-minute decision to use Pablo Caballero instead.

Argentina were dominant against Sweden, but failed to convert their superiority into goals and they drew 1-1.

However, there were no fights and arguments in the team's dressing room afterwards. There was just disappointment, sadness and tears.