England defender Marc Guehi has stated that the pressure rests on Argentina as the Three Lions prepare for their World Cup semifinal clash against the reigning champions. The match, scheduled for Wednesday in Atlanta, marks England‘s second semifinal appearance in three World Cups. However, the team has not reached the final since their 1966 tournament victory.
To advance to the final this year, England must overcome Argentina, in what will be their sixth encounter at a World Cup. This fixture adds another chapter to one of international football’s most significant rivalries. Historically, matches between these two nations have been marked by drama, including Diego Maradona‘s ‘Hand of God’ goal in 1986 and David Beckham‘s red card 12 years later.
Guehi, a centre-back, commented before the last-four tie, stating, “The pressure is on them, they are the world champions.” Thomas Tuchel‘s side secured their spot in the semifinal at Atlanta Stadium by defeating Norway 2-1 after extra time. The match will be broadcast live.
Eight years ago in Moscow, England was eliminated at this stage by Croatia, despite holding a 1-0 lead early in the game. Guehi described the upcoming match as “the game of your life. You have do what you can for your country.”
Tuchel on team dynamics and Messi challenge
England manager Thomas Tuchel addressed a perceived issue between himself and Jude Bellingham following the midfielder’s reaction to criticism after the performance against Norway. Tuchel had remarked that England “got lucky” in the quarterfinal and “made life very, very difficult for ourselves.”
Bellingham, who scored two goals in the win, responded to his manager’s comments with, “Yeah well, whatever.” Tuchel, however, dismissed any suggestions of tension within the camp. He stated, “I’m a football coach and I try to demand the very best and not settle for lower standards.”
Tuchel explained that he had processed the situation, debriefed it with the team, and that everyone is now focused. Regarding Bellingham’s specific response, he noted it was a post-match interview, and the player was exhausted after giving his all. Tuchel added that the reporter did not highlight his praise for Bellingham as a “world-class player” in a “world-class decisive moment,” suggesting it was a negatively framed question. He concluded, “There’s no issue. We’re competing for the same goal. We are both still hungry as everyone is.”
Tuchel also confirmed that Declan Rice is prepared to start against Argentina. The midfielder was substituted at half-time against Norway due to illness but participated fully in training on Tuesday. This means that Jordan Henderson and Jarell Quansah are expected to be the only England players unavailable for the semifinal.
Tuchel could become only the fourth manager to reach a World Cup final with a team other than their home nation, and the first since Ernst Happel with the Netherlands in 1978. However, his England side faces a significant challenge against Argentina, who are making their third semifinal appearance in the last four World Cup editions.
When asked if the rivalry between the two nations would provide additional motivation, Tuchel stated, “We don’t use it as fuel. We know why we’re here – we know what we want.” He added, “We’re in the semi-final – we arrive very hungry and want the next win.”
The historical relationship between England and Argentina has been influenced by political tensions, particularly around the Falklands War in the 1980s. After Argentina’s 3-2 victory over Egypt in the last 16, their players were filmed chanting a reference to the islands.
Despite this, Tuchel emphasized respect for the opponent, stating, “We don’t dip into historic events. We don’t make it bigger than it is.” He described the match as “a big football match and a big occasion. We are very excited and grateful, but very hungry and ready to go.”
The semifinal will mark the first time England will face Lionel Messi on the international stage. Tuchel praised the Argentina captain, saying, “How he carries the team is absolutely incredible – there are no words.” He continued, “In this tournament he is just the leader, and the key player in any team he plays.”
Tuchel acknowledged Messi’s unique qualities, noting, “When Messi has the ball, the movement starts. The technical delivery of Messi is on the highest level.” He recognized the difficulty in stopping him, stating, “A lot of coaches have tried [to stop Messi]. He seems to always have another gear and another solution. He’s unique. We know his quality.”
He concluded on the challenge of Messi, “We know how big the obstacle is. We know how big the ask is.” Tuchel also shared a personal anecdote about unwinding during the long summer camp, mentioning that he sometimes enjoys an ice cream on a bike ride for 15 minutes to reconnect with a feeling of youth.
Messi’s history against English clubs
The upcoming match is notable as it will be Messi’s first international encounter against England. However, he has a significant history playing against Premier League clubs. This experience could offer some insight into how England might approach containing him.
Messi’s impact against English clubs began to be widely recognized around the 2009 Champions League final. Since then, he has played 26 games against English clubs, securing 17 wins, suffering four losses, and scoring 27 goals.
He has delivered notable performances on English soil, including a high-speed dribbling display against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium and a more orchestrating role against Tottenham at Wembley, where his passing rearranged the play.
Recent statistics show that Messi has played only two games against Premier League teams since a 4-0 result at Anfield, winning one and losing one. Significantly, his five losses against English club teams have occurred against opponents known for their high tempo and physical pressure. His less successful periods were against the robust and aggressive Chelsea teams of the José Mourinho era and beyond. This suggests that England might learn from how Cape Verde pressed higher up the pitch against Argentina, aiming to disrupt Messi’s supply lines.
The match on Wednesday night in Atlanta is set to be a significant event, with 101 games already played in the World Cup and only three remaining after this semifinal.
Source: bbc.com
