FIFA World Cup: Lionel Scaloni dismisses Argentina-England history before semi-final: A football game and that is all

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni insisted Wednesday’s FIFA World Cup semifinal against England was “just a football game”, refusing to add to the narrative surrounding one of international football’s fiercest rivalries after his side reached the last four with a hard-fought win over Switzerland.

Argentina defeated Switzerland 3-1 after extra time in Kansas City on Saturday to book a second successive World Cup semi-final and remain on course to defend the title they won in Qatar four years ago. Alexis Mac Allister put the defending champions ahead early, but Dan Ndoye deservedly equalised midway through the second half as Switzerland produced another resilient display.

The match turned in Argentina’s favour when Breel Embolo was sent off after picking up a second yellow card for simulation. Even with a numerical advantage, Scaloni’s side struggled to break down the Swiss resistance before Julian Alvarez struck in the 112th minute. Substitute Lautaro Martinez then sealed the victory with a third goal in stoppage time.

The reward is a mouth-watering semi-final against England in Atlanta, a fixture that has produced some of the most memorable moments in World Cup history.

The rivalry extends beyond football. Encounters between the two nations have often been viewed through the backdrop of the Falklands War, known in Argentina as the Malvinas conflict, after Britain reclaimed the islands in 1982 following Argentina’s invasion.

The football rivalry has been equally compelling, most famously at the 1986 World Cup quarter-final when Diego Maradona inspired Argentina to a 2-1 victory with the infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal and his remarkable solo effort, widely regarded as one of the greatest goals in football history.

Argentina later knocked England out on penalties at the 1998 World Cup before England gained revenge with a group-stage victory in 2002.

‘JUST A FOOTBALL GAME’

Despite that history, Scaloni was keen to keep the focus firmly on football.

“Look, this is a football game,” Scaloni said after Saturday’s victory. “OK, so the message is this is a football game. That’s what I can say. “It is a football game and we will be playing against a very tough opponent. They have an excellent coach and this is a football game and that’s all.”

Scaloni acknowledged that Argentina would have to improve after another demanding knockout match. The world champions were also pushed hard by Cape Verde and Egypt in the previous rounds before eventually prevailing.

“We won because of our ambition. We didn’t want it to go to penalties,” he said. “It was more about the desire to win than the quality of play.”

While Argentina have not always been at their fluent best, they are now one win away from reaching a second consecutive World Cup final. Scaloni said reaching another semi-final was an achievement that should not be taken for granted.

“We are in the semi-finals, a privileged position in football that we might take for granted, but it’s not that easy,” he said.

“We have every reason to be happy, satisfied and excited. “Now we’re going for everything we can, right to the end, with every last ounce of strength and every last drop of sweat.

“If we pull it off, great. If not, we’re going to give it our all. Let there be no doubt about that.”

England, meanwhile, stand between Argentina and another World Cup final, ensuring the latest chapter of one of football’s greatest rivalries will be written on the sport’s biggest stage once again.

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