Thomas Tuchel believes England will face an Argentina team fuelled by history in their World Cup semi-final in Atlanta on Wednesday. The match marks the sixth meeting between the nations at the tournament, with the previous three occurring after the Falklands war of 1982. Tuchel recognizes the fierce fighting spirit in Argentina’s ranks and how they will give everything to retain the title they won in 2022.
Historic Rivalry Intensifies
The most controversial game was in the 1986 quarter-finals when Diego Maradona scored his “Hand of God” goal and Argentina won 2-1 en route to the title. Argentina triumphed on penalties in the last 16 in 1998 when David Beckham was sent off. Beckham gained a measure of revenge four years later when he scored from the penalty spot for a 1-0 group-stage victory.
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England won 3-1 at the group phase in 1962 and 1-0 in the quarter-finals in 1966, when they went on to become champions. This deep history adds an emotional edge to the upcoming clash, with Argentina hoping to provide Lionel Messi with a fitting send-off at what is expected to be his last World Cup.
Argentina’s Emotional Drive
Some of Argentina’s players chanted a song in the dressing room after their 3-1 quarter-final win over Switzerland that references the Falklands war and pledges to win the World Cup for “Las Malvinas, por Diego and por la ultima de Leo” – “for the Falklands, for Diego and for Leo’s last”. Tuchel was asked whether he was aware of the aggressive edge to the fixture.
“I know some of the players, I coached some of the players,” Tuchel said. “I can sense it. You can see it. They have this kind of edge. You can sense it when they’re going a goal down, when matches are tight. They’re almost the same group as four years ago. You can see the cohesion, you can see the sacrifice that they put into it.”
Key Match Statistics
| Year | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Group Stage | England 3-1 Argentina |
| 1966 | Quarter-Final | England 1-0 Argentina |
| 1986 | Quarter-Final | Argentina 2-1 England |
| 1998 | Last 16 | Argentina 2-2 (4-3 pens) England |
| 2002 | Group Stage | England 1-0 Argentina |
What to Expect in the Semi-Final
Tuchel emphasized that England is prepared for Argentina’s emotional style. “They believe in their style. And their style is a very emotional style. It was in Qatar and it is now. And, of course, history … they are also fuelled by that. They are fuelled by history, it means a lot to them. So this is what we basically expect, and what we are up against. But we are also emotional.”
Key Takeaways
- Argentina has won two of the last three World Cup meetings.
- Lionel Messi’s potential last World Cup adds motivation for Argentina.
- England’s 1966 victory remains their only World Cup title.
- Tuchel’s tactical approach will be crucial against Argentina’s cohesion.
FAQ
When is the England vs Argentina semi-final?
The match is scheduled for Wednesday in Atlanta, with kick-off time to be confirmed.
Why is this match so historic?
The rivalry dates back to 1962, with controversial moments including Maradona’s Hand of God goal and Beckham’s red card.
Will Lionel Messi play in this match?
Yes, Messi is expected to start for Argentina in what could be his final World Cup appearance.
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