England defender Marc Guehi has asserted that the pressure lies with Argentina as the Three Lions gear up to face the reigning champions in the World Cup semi-finals. The match marks a significant fixture, rekindling a rivalry steeped in history, though manager Thomas Tuchel emphasized his team's focus on their own performance rather than historical tensions.
"We don't use it as fuel. We know why we're here – we know what we want," Tuchel stated. "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." He added that the team respects their opponent but chooses not to dwell on past events, instead focusing on the magnitude of the football match and the opportunity it presents.
Argentina's path to the semi-finals includes their presence in the last four for the third time in the past four editions of the tournament. The political backdrop, particularly concerning the Falklands War, has historically influenced the relationship between the two nations. Following Argentina's quarter-final victory, their players were observed singing a chant that referenced the islands.
Tuchel acknowledged the formidable challenge of facing Argentina's captain, Lionel Messi. "How he carries the team is absolutely incredible – there are no words," Tuchel said. "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."
Describing Messi as unique, Tuchel noted that many coaches have attempted to neutralize his impact, but the player consistently finds another gear and solution. "We know his quality. We know how big the obstacle is. We know how big the ask is."
Should England win, Tuchel would become only the fourth manager to reach a World Cup final with a team other than their home nation, and the first since Austrian Ernst Happel with the Netherlands in 1978.
Tuchel also shared some personal insights into how he unwinds during the demanding tournament schedule, mentioning simple pleasures like riding a bike and enjoying an ice cream to reconnect with a childlike sense of enjoyment for brief periods.