Pressure on Argentina as England Prepare for World Cup Semi-Final
Marc Guehi, who has played in all six of England's matches at this World Cup, has stated that the pressure lies with Argentina as the Three Lions get ready to face the reigning world champions in the semi-finals.
England's upcoming match on Wednesday in Atlanta at 20:00 BST marks their second semi-final appearance in three World Cups. However, they have not reached the final since their 1966 tournament victory.
To advance to this year's final, England must overcome Argentina, whom they will meet for the sixth time in World Cup history, continuing one of international football's most intense rivalries.
Encounters between the two nations have often been dramatic, from Diego Maradona's notorious 'Hand of God' goal in 1986 to David Beckham's red card twelve years later.
"The pressure is on them, they are the world champions,"
Guehi said ahead of the semi-final.
England secured their place in the semi-final at Atlanta Stadium by defeating Norway 2-1 after extra time. The match will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC .
Eight years ago in Moscow, England were eliminated at this stage by Croatia despite leading 1-0 early on through Kieran Trippier's fifth-minute free-kick.
"It's the game of your life. You have do what you can for your country,"
said Manchester City centre-back Guehi, aged 26.
'I try not to settle for lower standards' - Tuchel
Thomas Tuchel was appointed as England manager in January 2025.
England manager Thomas Tuchel addressed recent comments regarding midfielder Jude Bellingham following England's performance against Norway. Tuchel acknowledged that England "got lucky" in the quarter-final and made the match more difficult than necessary.
After the game, Bellingham, who scored twice to secure the win, responded to Tuchel's criticism with,
"Yeah well, whatever."
Tuchel dismissed any notion of tension within the squad, stating,
"I'm a football coach and I try to demand the very best and not settle for lower standards. I was in a mixed feeling. I have it completely out of my system. We framed it. We debriefed it as a group and we're all focused now. Full steam ahead."
Regarding Bellingham's response, Tuchel explained,
"It's a post-match interview. We came from the same mindset as being competitive and wanting to win. He scored two goals and was exhausted because he gave everything. Then the interviewer asked him the question. What do you expect from a player in this minute after the game? The reporter didn't tell him I said he's a world-class player. And a world-class decisive moment. He didn't say I praised him. It was a negative question to ask. We don't lose any sleep over it.
There's no issue. We're competing for the same goal. We are both still hungry as everyone is. I still feel it's my duty and job description to push and address if ever the standards drop a little but to make sure they go up."
Tuchel also confirmed that Declan Rice is ready to start against Argentina. Rice was substituted at half-time against Norway after struggling with illness prior to the quarter-final but trained fully on Tuesday.
This leaves Jordan Henderson and Jarell Quansah as the only England players unavailable for the semi-final.
'Easy to create divisions' - Kane says England are 'completely together'
BBC experts have selected their England World Cup semi-final XI ahead of the match; opinions vary on the lineup.
How do England stop Messi?
Tuchel could become only the fourth manager to reach a World Cup final with a team other than his home nation, and the first since Austrian Ernst Happel with the Netherlands in 1978.
However, England face a significant challenge against Argentina, who have reached the World Cup semi-finals for the third time in the last four tournaments.
When asked by 's Sami Mokbel if the rivalry between England and Argentina would add extra motivation, Tuchel responded,
"We don't use it as fuel. 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. We're in the semi-final - we arrive very hungry and want the next win."
Political tensions, particularly related to the Falklands War in the 1980s, have influenced relations between the two countries. After Argentina's 3-2 victory over Egypt in the last 16, their players were filmed singing a chant referencing the islands.
Tuchel said,
"We respect our opponent, but we don't dip into historic events. We don't make it bigger than it is. It is a big football match and a big occasion. We are very excited and grateful, but very hungry and ready to go.
It's a big rivalry and it's two big football nations who love football."
The semi-final will also mark the first time England face Argentina legend Lionel Messi on the international stage.
On Messi, Tuchel remarked,
"How he carries the team is absolutely incredible - there are no words. In this tournament he is just the leader, and the key player in any team he plays.
When Messi has the ball, the movement starts. The technical delivery of Messi is on the highest level. There is a lot to take care of, but we are here to play our way in the semi-final. We are here to impose our style, our strengths.
A lot of coaches have tried [to stop Messi]. He seems to always have another gear and another solution. He's unique. We know his quality.
We know how big the obstacle is. We know how big the ask is."
Tuchel also shared how he likes to unwind during the long summer camp, saying,
"Sometimes you just go on a bike, and you need a big parking lot and an ice cream in your hand. For 15 minutes, you feel like 15 years old. 15 not 50! You enjoy your evening in a warm summer for 15 minutes with an ice cream, and you reconnect to that beauty of that feeling which we all have inside of us."
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