The World Cup semifinals between Argentina and England scarcely need extra storylines, but the clash in Atlanta arrives carrying decades of soccer drama, political baggage and two teams who have made a habit of surviving on the edge.
From England’s victory at the 1966 World Cup to the shadow cast by the 1982 Falklands War, from Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal in 1986 to major duels in 1998 and 2002, meetings between the countries have long felt larger than soccer.
Yet Argentina’s players and coach Lionel Scaloni have sought to strip away the emotion surrounding the rivalry, insisting the semifinals should be treated as another step toward the biggest prize in the sport.
The reigning champions have reached the last four, struggling far more than expected. They beat Cape Verde, 3-2, after extra time, staged a remarkable comeback from 2-0 down with 11 minutes remaining to defeat Egypt, 3-2, and then overcame Switzerland, 3-1, in extra time.
The 39-year-old Messi acknowledged the physical toll of the tournament after a succession of draining knockout victories.
If Argentina has repeatedly found a way through adversity, England have done the same through resilience, grit and the emergence of Jude Bellingham as the face of their campaign.
The 23-year-old Real Madrid midfielder scored twice against Mexico and twice more against Norway, further cementing his status as the team’s indispensable player.
Harry Kane remains captain and focal point in attack, but increasingly, this feels like Bellingham’s tournament.
Tuchel, however, knows individual brilliance may not be enough. The England manager has openly voiced frustration with aspects of his team’s performances, arguing they can play with greater precision and control.
Argentina’s hopes once again rest heavily on Messi, who has scored eight goals in the tournament, level with France’s Kylian Mbappe in the race for the Golden Boot.
Remarkably, Wednesday, July 15, will mark Messi’s first career appearance against England, adding another chapter to a fixture that has long captured the imagination of both nations. (Reuters)