Argentina is preparing for a FIFA World Cup semifinal match against England in Atlanta, with coach Lionel Scaloni expressing satisfaction with his team’s journey to this stage. The match is set to renew a historic rivalry between the two nations.
Scaloni noted that his team is in good form and eager for the semifinal, emphasizing his gratitude to the players for reaching this point. He stated that he would have accepted a semifinal appearance if offered a month and a half prior, indicating he is not concerned with how they arrived.
Argentina’s path to the semifinals
Argentina, featuring a veteran squad including Lionel Messi, has navigated challenging knockout matches to reach the semifinals. The team secured a 3-2 victory over Cape Verde in extra time, followed by another 3-2 win against Egypt in Atlanta after a late comeback. Their quarterfinal match against Switzerland also required an additional 30 minutes of play, ending in a 3-1 win against a team reduced to ten players.
Scaloni dismissed concerns about player fatigue, asserting that reaching a World Cup semifinal is paramount. He highlighted that he cannot fault his players for their efforts.
Historic rivalry and key players
The upcoming match marks the sixth encounter between England and Argentina in the World Cup. One of the most memorable was the 1986 quarterfinal, where Diego Maradona scored both the controversial “Hand of God” goal and a remarkable individual effort that secured Argentina’s victory. Scaloni reflected on Maradona’s second goal, describing it as a beautiful moment that remains in the hearts of football enthusiasts.
The rivalry extends beyond the pitch, encompassing historical and cultural elements. The 1986 match, for instance, took place four years after the 1982 conflict over the Falkland Islands. Scaloni has sought to keep political considerations separate from the current football match, describing it as a sad period in history but stressing that the focus is solely on the game.
England’s coach, Thomas Tuchel, acknowledged the historical significance of the fixture but stated that his team focuses on the present game rather than past events. Similarly, Jordan Pickford, England’s goalkeeper, expressed anticipation for playing against Messi for the first time.
The match is also being framed as a contest between Messi and England’s Jude Bellingham. Messi, at 39, has continued to deliver impactful performances, scoring eight goals in the tournament. Tuchel praised Messi’s sustained quality and leadership throughout the competition.
Bellingham, 23, is also a key figure for England, having scored six goals in the tournament, including two in each of the last two rounds. Tuchel described Bellingham as a world-class player. Both teams will aim to mitigate the influence of these star players. Tuchel mentioned considering man-marking Messi, while Scaloni acknowledged the dual threat posed by Bellingham and Harry Kane, who also has six goals in the tournament.
The rivalry between England and Argentina is deeply rooted, with influences spanning culture, history, and football. Argentinian culture, for example, has historical ties to England, evident in place names, club names like Newell’s Old Boys and River Plate, and football terminology. The Malvinas War holds a significant place in the collective memory of many Argentinian fans, often referenced in murals, tattoos, and fan chants.
Jorge Valdano, who played in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal, noted that an Argentinian style of play emerged that intentionally contrasted with English football, prioritizing short passes and dribbling over long passes. This deliberate distinction highlighted that more than just a championship was at stake in matches against England.
The rivalry has seen several notable incidents, including the sending off of Argentina captain Antonio Rattin in a 1966 quarterfinal and David Beckham‘s red card in 1998. The two nations last met competitively in the group stage of the 2002 World Cup, where England secured a victory with a penalty from Beckham. The semifinal match is scheduled for Wednesday.
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Source: aljazeera.com
