Argentina’s World Cup journey continues with semi-final clash against England in Atlanta
Argentina, led by coach Lionel Scaloni, are preparing for their World Cup semi-final match against England in Atlanta, following a 3-1 quarter-final victory against Switzerland. This upcoming fixture is described as the team’s most significant challenge in the tournament so far and rekindles a notable rivalry in global football.
Scaloni, who has been the head coach of Argentina for nearly eight years, has achieved considerable success, including ending a long trophy drought, securing a World Cup title, and winning two Copa Américas. His appointment was initially met with controversy, but he is now widely respected.
When asked about the legacy of his Argentina side, Scaloni often refers to the fighting spirit of the team, drawing inspiration from a viral video of a young fan. He stated, “The training staff and the players, we play football to see these things. Things that come from the heart. It’s incredible – a kid that age says that. If this team has a legacy, that’s what we want. That tomorrow, kids like that think that they can be here playing [for the national team] in the future.”
Team’s Resilience and Messi’s Role
The team’s journey through the tournament has been marked by resilience, often leaving decisions until late in matches and sometimes relinquishing leads. They have faced near-elimination twice, including against Cape Verde in the last 32.
In the quarter-final against Switzerland, Argentina scored early and appeared to be in control. However, a 10-minute period in the second half saw Switzerland equalize after a defensive lapse. Even with a man advantage following a controversial red card for Switzerland, Argentina struggled to secure the win, with Lionel Messi missing opportunities as the game went into extra time.
The decisive moment came from striker Julian Álvarez, whose curling strike put Argentina ahead. Lautaro Martínez then sealed the victory with a third goal. This demonstrated that while Messi is a central figure, the team’s success is not solely dependent on him.
Following the match, Álvarez commented on the team’s tendency to face difficult situations, saying, “Every game in the World Cup, we are seeing that they’re like this. Sometimes it’s our turn [to suffer], but it’s also the same for our opponents. Tons of extra time, all of that. Whatever the case is, we know we will fight till the end. As long as we win, it’s fine.” Scaloni added that suffering is a necessary part of reaching the World Cup semi-finals.
Messi’s Fitness and Upcoming Challenge
Coach Scaloni has addressed concerns regarding Lionel Messi’s workload, affirming that the captain remains in excellent physical condition. According to Scaloni, tracking data indicates that Messi covers a similar distance in each match as he has in previous tournaments. Scaloni highlighted Messi’s sustained goal-scoring ability, noting that he has scored eight goals in the tournament so far and is a joint leader in the race for the Golden Boot.
Scaloni also confirmed that Messi retains complete freedom over penalty duties, despite missing two spot kicks in the tournament, and can decide his positioning on the field. The team adapts to his movements, understanding his involvement in build-up play.
The upcoming semi-final against England will be particularly challenging for Argentina, as they will play on just three days of rest after two of their last three knockout games went into 120 minutes. Scaloni, acknowledging the historical significance of the match, sought to downplay its broader implications, stating, “This is just a football game, OK? That’s what I can say. It is a football game and we will be playing against a very tough opponent with an excellent coach. And this is a football game. And that is all.”
Scaloni believes that these struggles are inherent to the team’s character, noting, “This is part of our blood. It is part of our DNA. [These struggles] bring peace of mind. We are more experienced and we know what it feels like to be dominated by the opponent, to have an equalizer. Today we kept our composure, the team knew how to remain calm, and we will never give up.” Should Argentina advance past England, they will face either Spain or France in the final.
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Source: theguardian.com
