Guehi Believes Pressure on Argentina as England Eye World Cup Final Berth

England defender Marc Guehi has asserted that the pressure in the upcoming World Cup semi-final lies squarely with their opponents, Argentina, the current world champions. England is set to face off against Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday, marking their second semi-final appearance in three World Cups.

The Three Lions have not reached the World Cup final since their historic victory on home soil in 1966. To break this long drought, they must overcome a formidable Argentinian side, in what promises to be another dramatic chapter in one of international football’s most storied rivalries. Matches between England and Argentina have historically been fraught with tension and memorable moments, from Diego Maradona’s controversial “Hand of God” goal in 1986 to David Beckham’s red card in 1998.

Por que importa

“The pressure is on them, they are the world champions,” Guehi commented ahead of the crucial last-four tie.

England’s path to the semi-finals included a hard-fought 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway. Manager Thomas Tuchel acknowledged that the team “got lucky” and made the match more difficult than necessary, a sentiment that led to a brief public exchange with midfielder Jude Bellingham. Bellingham, who scored both goals against Norway, responded to Tuchel’s criticism with a curt “Yeah well, whatever” in a post-match interview.

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Tuchel, however, downplayed any internal friction, stating, “I’m a football coach and I try to demand the very best and not settle for lower standards.” He added that the incident was a “post-match interview” and that the team is unified, with everyone “hungry as everyone is” for the shared goal. He emphasized that his role is to push standards higher and that there is “no issue” within the squad.

Declan Rice is fit and available to start against Argentina after recovering from illness that saw him substituted at half-time in the Norway match. Jordan Henderson and Jarell Quansah are the only players confirmed to be unavailable for the semi-final.

Tuchel has the opportunity to become only the fourth manager to guide a team other than their home nation to a World Cup final, a feat last achieved by Austria’s Ernst Happel with the Netherlands in 1978.

Despite the historical significance and the intensity of the rivalry, Tuchel stated that England would not use it as extra motivation. “We know why we’re here – we know what we want. We were never shy of expecting that from us, of saying it, of dreaming it.”

The manager also addressed the political undertones that have sometimes accompanied matches between England and Argentina, particularly referencing events like the Falklands War. He stated, “We respect our opponent, but we don’t dip into historic events. We don’t make it bigger than it is.” He described the upcoming match as a “big football match and a big occasion” that the team is “very excited and grateful, but very hungry and ready to go.”

The semi-final will also mark the first time England faces Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi on the international stage. Tuchel spoke highly of Messi’s impact, calling his ability to carry the team “absolutely incredible” and highlighting his leadership and crucial role throughout the tournament. “When Messi has the ball, the movement starts. The technical delivery of Messi is on the highest level,” Tuchel noted, acknowledging the significant challenge Argentina’s captain presents. However, he affirmed England’s intention to “play our way in the semi-final. We are here to impose our style, our strengths.”

Tuchel also shared a personal anecdote about how he unwinds during the demanding tournament, mentioning enjoying simple pleasures like riding a bike and eating ice cream to reconnect with a sense of youthful enjoyment.

Key facts

The development of England reaching the semi-finals and facing a highly-charged fixture against Argentina is crucial for FootballGames10 readers who follow international football closely. The narrative of breaking a long-standing final drought, the tactical battle against a world-class opponent, and the individual brilliance of players like Messi provide compelling content for fans of the sport.

Source: BBC Sport Football – https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cp8l87vevj2o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss