BELO HORIZONTE, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni lavished praise on his players after their 2-0 Copa America semifinal defeat to Brazil on Wednesday, claiming they deserved a place in Sunday's final.

Scaloni said his team were superior to the hosts and criticized referee Roddy Zambrano for failing to consult VAR for two Argentina penalty appeals.

"I think we were the superior side," the 41-year-old told a news conference. "Sometimes football is unfair. Brazil played well and are now in the final. But if you look at it another way you can say that Argentina played better."

Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino scored either side of halftime at the Mineirao as Brazil set up a place in Sunday's final in Rio de Janeiro against either Peru or Chile.

Argentina controlled 51 percent of possession and had 14 shots on goal - although only two were on target - compared with Brazil's four.

The Albiceleste looked particularly dangerous early in the second half, when their talisman Lionel Messi hit the post with one effort and forced a sharp save from goalkeeper Alisson Becker with a wickedly dipping free-kick.

"It showed that these players feel the jersey like nobody else," said former Deportivo La Coruna full-back Scaloni, before reiterating criticism of the uneven playing surfaces at this Copa America. "That's the path we need to follow in the future. We were superior to them on a difficult pitch. We didn't make it to the final but we can be positive about what has happened."

"It was the best game we played this tournament considering the opponent and the opportunities that we created. This group has a lot to give and we can be optimistic about the future."