England squad united ahead of Argentina clash
England captain Harry Kane has affirmed the squad’s unity as they prepare for their World Cup semi-final match against Argentina. His comments follow remarks made by manager Thomas Tuchel after England’s 2-1 victory over Norway in Miami. Tuchel had expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s performance, stating he was “not happy” with it “in every sense,” and suggested England “got lucky.”
Midfielder Jude Bellingham had responded to Tuchel’s assessment by noting the difficulty of the match. Kane, speaking on Monday, defended Bellingham’s reaction, highlighting that the comments were made shortly after a demanding game. Kane dismissed suggestions of division within the squad, describing such narratives as a common “English thing to do at these major tournaments.” He emphasised that the team’s success is a result of their “complete togetherness,” encompassing players, coaches, and staff.
Kane also addressed the difference in managerial styles between Tuchel and former manager Sir Gareth Southgate. He described Tuchel as a manager who “wears his heart on his sleeve” and whose unscripted communication resonates with the team. Kane believes Tuchel is “one of the best managers in the world” and that the squad understands his approach, having grown accustomed to it over the past two years.
O’Reilly anticipates Messi challenge
The upcoming semi-final will see England face Lionel Messi and Argentina. Left-back Nico O’Reilly expressed his excitement for what he calls a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to play against the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. O’Reilly, who has not faced Messi at club level, noted that this could be Messi’s first and potentially last encounter with England, given the player’s age.
Messi has had a notable tournament, starting with a hat-trick in a 3-0 win against Algeria, which saw him equal Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 World Cup goals. He has since added five more goals, bringing his career World Cup tally to 21 and placing him joint-first with France’s Kylian Mbappe in the Golden Boot race. O’Reilly described Messi as “the best player to ever touch a football pitch” and eagerly anticipates the challenge.
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford acknowledged Messi’s talent but cautioned against focusing solely on him. Pickford highlighted the overall strength of Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina squad, stressing the importance of considering their other strengths and potential weaknesses that England could exploit. The winner of this semi-final will advance to the World Cup final on Sunday, 19 July, at the New York New Jersey Stadium, where they will face either France or Spain.
Historical rivalry between England and Argentina
The fixture between England and Argentina carries a significant historical rivalry, often described as a “trans-continental derby” rooted in political history and footballing folklore. Former Argentina player and current Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone has previously spoken about the intensity of matches against English teams. He recalled an encounter at Wembley in 1991, noting the aggressive and passionate nature of English football.
The 1998 World Cup last-16 match between the two nations is a memorable part of this rivalry. In that game, David Beckham received a red card after an incident involving Simeone. Simeone described it as the “best international match” he had played in, praising England’s performance with ten men for 70 minutes. He recalled the extraordinary efforts of players like Alan Shearer and Paul Ince.
Simeone later reflected on the incident with Beckham, suggesting that the media’s blame on Beckham was unfair and that it was an instinctive reaction. Despite the past animosity, Beckham and Simeone were pictured together in Miami for Argentina’s match against Cape Verde, with Beckham referring to Simeone as an “old friend.”
Another significant moment from the 1998 match was Michael Owen’s goal, which put England 2-1 ahead. Owen, then 18, made a remarkable run from the halfway line. Former England manager Glenn Hoddle, who was in charge that day, described Owen’s lack of fear and the surprise his pace caused the Argentine defence, particularly Roberto Ayala. Simeone admitted that Argentina had not anticipated Owen’s impact, as he was a new face on the international scene.
The match also featured a disallowed goal by Sol Campbell in the 81st minute, which would have been a winner for England. Hoddle recalled the confusion and disappointment of the moment, describing it as a “nightmare.” The game ultimately concluded with Argentina winning 4-3 on penalties. Simeone acknowledged the immense joy of eliminating England, given the historical context of the rivalry.
In 2002, England achieved a measure of revenge with a 1-0 victory in Sapporo. David Beckham scored the winning penalty, which was awarded after a foul on Owen by Mauricio Pochettino. Owen later commented that while he could have stayed on his feet, the defender’s contact resulted in a cut on his shin. Simeone himself recounted watching Diego Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” goal in 1986, initially believing it was a good goal, and later acknowledging Maradona’s second goal in that match as proof of his greatness. He described the Argentine approach to football as “jugar a la pelota,” focusing on dribbling and individual skill.
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Source: bbc.com