Argentina focuses on football, not history: Scaloni

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has brushed aside concerns over his team’s physical condition ahead of their World Cup semi-final against England, insisting his players are fully prepared for one of the biggest matches in international football.

The defending champions will face England in Atlanta on Wednesday as they attempt to secure a place in a second consecutive World Cup final.

The fixture is one of football’s most recognised rivalries, remembered for memorable meetings in previous tournaments, including the 1986 quarter-final inspired by Diego Maradona.

Speaking before the match, Scaloni said reaching the last four was already a significant achievement and praised his players for their determination throughout the tournament.

“We are in good shape, and we really can’t wait,” he said.

“This is a World Cup semi-final, and our hopes are intact. We are very grateful to these players for getting us here again,” he also said.

Argentina’s progress has come through a series of demanding knockout matches. They defeated Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time before recovering from behind to overcome Egypt by the same scoreline. Their quarter-final victory against Switzerland also required an additional 30 minutes before they eventually won 3-1 against the 10-man European side.

Despite the physical demands of those matches, Scaloni insisted fatigue would not influence his team’s mindset.

“If someone had offered me a place in the semi-final a month and a half ago, I would have accepted it immediately,” he said.

“I have nothing to criticise my players for. Whether we are tired or not does not matter because this is a World Cup semi-final,” the coach added.

The meeting with England also revives one of the sport’s most famous rivalries. Argentina and England have faced each other five times at the World Cup, with the 1986 encounter remaining the most memorable.

Maradona’s controversial ‘Hand of God’ goal, followed minutes later by his remarkable solo effort, helped Argentina secure victory before they went on to lift the trophy.

Scaloni described Maradona’s second goal in that match as one of football’s greatest moments.

“It was a marvellous goal, and any football lover remembers it that way,” he said.

“It just happened to be against England," he mentioned.

Although past meetings between the two nations have often been linked to the Falkland Islands conflict, which took place four years before the 1986 World Cup, Scaloni stressed that politics should not overshadow Wednesday’s contest.

“This is a football match,” he said.

“I am not going to mix football with events from the past. It was a very sad period in our history, but this is simply a game of football,” he added.

Argentina’s biggest challenge may be containing England’s attacking threats. Jude Bellingham and captain Harry Kane have been responsible for 12 of England’s 13 goals at the tournament, making them central figures in Thomas Tuchel’s plans.

Scaloni acknowledged the quality of both players and suggested his side could make tactical adjustments to limit their influence, although he stopped short of confirming any changes to his starting line-up.

“We always look at what we can improve and how we can neutralise great players in the best possible way,” he said.

“We may make a change, but it is also possible we keep the same team. They are among the best players in the world, and any coach would like to have them,” he continued.

With a place in the World Cup final at stake, Argentina will hope their experience and resilience can overcome an England side that has impressed throughout the tournament. The winners will move one step closer to lifting football’s biggest prize, while the losing team’s campaign will come to an end.