Pochettino blames media after 3-2 defeat against Turkey: 'We finished first in the group'

Mauricio Pochettino blamed questions about his team's performance. After the 3-2 loss against Turkey, he told the media that he was expecting praise for the US team's first-place finish in the group. He said, "We finished first in the group" and said it was "strange" to be questioned about the background of the defeat.

The USA topped Group D, on the back of a brilliant 4-1 win over Paraguay, the most goals scored at a World Cup, and a 2-0 win in Australia.

Ahead of the match against Turkey, the debate centered on whether the United States would be able to continue the impact created by their previous victories.

"What is this momentum?" Said Pochettino, "Are we playing the same team that we played against Australia?" to the question of

"We have secured first place in the group, which is what we have achieved. Now we are ready for the next step," he said.

After the defeat against Turkey, Pochettino said, "Nobody appreciates us finishing first in the group."

"Happy with this group, after two wins before, it's not easy to back down," he said.

"We finished first in the group, as important as that is, you can't forget that," he said.

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