England prepare for World Cup semi-final
England captain Harry Kane has stated that the squad is “completely together” as they prepare for their World Cup semi-final against Argentina. His comments follow remarks made by Jude Bellingham regarding manager Thomas Tuchel’s assessment of their performance in the quarter-final match against Norway.
England secured their place in the final four after a 2-1 victory over Norway in Miami. They are now set to face the defending world champions, Argentina, in Atlanta. Argentina advanced to the semi-finals after a 3-1 win against Switzerland.
Following the Norway match, Tuchel reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with his side’s performance, stating they “got lucky.” When asked about these comments, Bellingham responded, “Yeah, well, whatever. It’s difficult out there – it’s a tough shift.”
Kane addressed the situation, suggesting that such comments can be misinterpreted, especially when players are speaking shortly after an intense match. He emphasised that the team’s unity is a key factor in their progress in the tournament, attributing their success to the togetherness of players, coach, and staff.
The captain also discussed Tuchel’s managerial approach, noting its difference from that of former manager Sir Gareth Southgate. Kane described Tuchel as a manager who “wears his heart on his sleeve” and whose unscripted communication is appreciated by the team. He highlighted Tuchel’s reputation as one of the best managers globally, indicating the squad’s understanding and belief in his methods.
O’Reilly anticipates Messi challenge
Left-back Nico O’Reilly is looking forward to the “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” of facing Lionel Messi in the semi-final. This match will mark Messi’s first encounter with England, and it could be his last opportunity to play against them. O’Reilly, a Manchester City defender, has not previously faced Messi at club level.
O’Reilly expressed his eagerness for the challenge, calling Messi the “best player to ever touch a football pitch.” Messi began the tournament with a hat-trick in a 3-0 victory against Algeria. He has since added more goals, bringing his career World Cup tally to and placing him joint-first with Kylian Mbappe in the Golden Boot race.
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford acknowledged Messi’s talent but cautioned against focusing solely on him. Pickford stressed the importance of recognising Argentina’s overall strength and identifying other areas of their game that England can exploit. He noted that it would be significant to finally play against Messi after watching him for many years.
The winner of the semi-final will advance to the World Cup final, scheduled for Sunday, 19 July, at the New York New Jersey Stadium. They will face either France or Spain, who are set to play their semi-final match on Tuesday.
Historical rivalry between England and Argentina
The footballing rivalry between England and Argentina has a deep history, often described as the only trans-continental derby. This rivalry is rooted in historical and political events, alongside significant moments in football folklore.
Former Argentina international Diego Simeone, now a coach, has previously spoken about the intensity of matches against England. He was a central figure in the 1998 World Cup encounter, where his interaction with David Beckham led to Beckham’s red card. Simeone recalled the 1998 match as one of the greatest World Cup contests he participated in, noting England’s performance despite playing with ten men for a significant portion of the game.
Simeone recounted a previous match against England at Wembley in 1991, where he sustained an injury from Stuart Pearce, which he still considers a “souvenir.” He also reflected on the aftermath of the 1998 incident, acknowledging the intense media scrutiny Beckham faced, which he felt was unfair.
The 1998 match also featured Michael Owen’s memorable goal, where he ran from the halfway line to score, making it 2-1. Owen, then 18, recalled his thought process during the run, aiming to create the best shooting opportunity against defender Roberto Ayala. Simeone admitted that Argentina had not adequately prepared for Owen, who was a new face for England at the time.
The game saw further drama when Sol Campbell’s late goal was disallowed for a foul by Alan Shearer, a moment that Glenn Hoddle, England manager at the time, described as scarring. The match ultimately concluded with Argentina winning 4-3 on penalties. Simeone expressed the immense joy of beating England, given the historical context of the rivalry.
England achieved a form of revenge in the 2002 World Cup, winning 1-0 in Sapporo. Beckham scored a penalty, which was awarded after a foul on Owen by Mauricio Pochettino. Pochettino later good-naturedly suggested that Owen’s fall was a dive, while Owen maintained he could have stayed on his feet despite sustaining an injury.
Simeone also shared his perspective on Diego Maradona’s famous “Hand of God” goal in 1986, recalling how he, as a teenager, initially defended the goal to his father. He highlighted the Argentine football philosophy, which prioritises individual skill and dribbling, describing it as “jugar a la pelota” or “playing with the ball.”
The upcoming semi-final against Argentina is scheduled for Wednesday, with kick-off at 20:00 BST.
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Source: bbc.com
