Fatigue cannot be an excuse for Argentina at any given point during their pulsating World Cup semifinal against England in Atlanta. Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni said he is not concerned about players getting tired or anything else standing in his team’s way to another World Cup final, as they gear up for the clash against old foes. The defending world champions will aim to reach consecutive finals by beating the Three Lions, against whom they share a rich history at this tournament.&nbsp;"We are in good shape, and we really can't wait. This is a World Cup semi-final, and our hopes are intact. We are so grateful to these players for getting us here again," Scaloni said on the eve of the showdown in Atlanta. &nbsp;Led by 39-year-old Lionel Messi, Argentina’s ageing squad has struggled to beat teams in regular time in the knockouts, with two of the three contested matches decided in extra time.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/england-vs-argentina-world-cup-semifinal-declan-rice-declared-fit-for-semifinal-confirms-coach-thomas-tuchel-1784080651035">England vs Argentina: Declan Rice declared fit for semifinal, confirms coach Thomas Tuchel</a> &nbsp;While Argentina narrowly beat the World Cup debutants, Cape Verde, 3-2, they pulled off a brilliant comeback to knock Egypt out of the World Cup with a late win (again 3-2) in regular time. Against Switzerland in their quarterfinal, Argentina scored two goals in the extra time to win the match and qualify for the semis.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Live on Zee5

"A month and a half ago, I would have taken getting to the semi-final if you had offered me that, so I don't mind how we got here," said Scaloni, who coached the Albiceleste to glory in 2022. "I can't reproach my players. Whether we are tired or not, I don't care. This is a World Cup semi-final." &nbsp;Meanwhile, the two countries have clashed on five previous occasions at World Cups -- most notably the 1986 quarter-final when Diego Maradona opened the scoring with the infamous 'Hand of God' before his superb individual effort sealed victory. &nbsp;"I think everyone remembers that game, and Diego's performance, above all, the second goal, which will remain in all our hearts because it was so beautiful," Scaloni said. "It was a marvellous goal, and any football lover remembers it that way. And it just happened to be against England." &nbsp;The winner will face Spain in the final on July 19 in New Jersey, and the loser of this match will go one-on-one against France in the 3rd place playoff fixture.

A fierce Lionel Scaloni has issued a blunt ultimatum to his Argentina squad ahead of their World Cup semifinal against England, insisting "tired or not, I don't care". Read the manager's full pre-match tactical stance and historical reflections.

Fatigue cannot be an excuse for Argentina at any given point during their pulsating World Cup semifinal against England in Atlanta. Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni said he is not concerned about players getting tired or anything else standing in his team’s way to another World Cup final, as they gear up for the clash against old foes. The defending world champions will aim to reach consecutive finals by beating the Three Lions, against whom they share a rich history at this tournament. "We are in good shape, and we really can't wait. This is a World Cup semi-final, and our hopes are intact. We are so grateful to these players for getting us here again," Scaloni said on the eve of the showdown in Atlanta. Led by 39-year-old Lionel Messi, Argentina’s ageing squad has struggled to beat teams in regular time in the knockouts, with two of the three contested matches decided in extra time. Also read| England vs Argentina: Declan Rice declared fit for semifinal, confirms coach Thomas Tuchel While Argentina narrowly beat the World Cup debutants, Cape Verde, 3-2, they pulled off a brilliant comeback to knock Egypt out of the World Cup with a late win (again 3-2) in regular time. Against Switzerland in their quarterfinal, Argentina scored two goals in the extra time to win the match and qualify for the semis.

A fierce Lionel Scaloni has issued a blunt ultimatum to his Argentina squad ahead of their World Cup semifinal against England, insisting "tired or not, I don't care". Read the manager's full pre-match tactical stance and historical reflections.

‘Tired or Not, I Don’t Care’: Scaloni issues blunt ultimatum to Argentina stars for World Cup semifinal

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has played down the English threat at the 2026 World Cup semifinal in Atlanta by insisting that it is ‘just a football game’. Argentina made it to the last four after beating Switzerland 3-1 in their quarterfinal match on Sunday (Jul 11). Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister put the defending champions ahead with a header in the 10th minute, only for Dan Ndoye to equalise in the second half. The Kansas City Stadium erupted in joy after Julian Alvarez curled in a breathtaking golazo in the 112th minute as striker Lautaro Martínez added a cherry on the cake with a late goal to seal the win.&nbsp;Earlier, disaster struck for Switzerland in the second half, when Breel Embolo was shown a second yellow card for simulation, reducing them to 10 men.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-2026-we-knew-that-we-were-going-to-suffer-scaloni-after-argentina-edge-switzerland-to-reach-semis-1783848334331">FIFA 2026 | 'We knew that we were going to suffer': Scaloni after Argentina edge Switzerland to reach semis</a> &nbsp;Argentina will now turn their attention to England in the semifinal, which promises to be a pulsating encounter. &nbsp;However, despite the rich history between the two countries that extends beyond football, Scaloni decided to set all that aside and see this mouth-watering clash as just another game for Argentina. &nbsp;"Look, this is a football game," he said. "OK, so the message is this is a football game. That's what I can say. &nbsp;"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." &nbsp;This match against England comes 40 years after their famous quarterfinal at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, when Argentina secured a 2-1 win over the Three Lions. Diego Maradona scored a brace, including the infamous ‘Hand of God’ and another dazzling solo effort, considered one of the best.

Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 live on Zee5

Speaking ahead of the crucial semifinal, Scaloni said Argentina would have to improve after another tough test following gruelling 3-2 wins over Cape Verde and Egypt. &nbsp;"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." &nbsp;"We are in the semifinals, a privileged position in football that we might take for granted, but it's not that easy. &nbsp;"We have every reason to be happy, satisfied, and excited. &nbsp;"Now we're going for everything we can, right to the end, with every last ounce of strength and every last drop of sweat. &nbsp;"If we pull it off, great. If not, we're going to give it our all. Let there be no doubt about that," he added.

Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni brushed aside the historic rivalry with England, calling their upcoming World Cup semi-final "just another game" after a grueling 3-1 quarter-final win over Switzerland.

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has played down the English threat at the 2026 World Cup semifinal in Atlanta by insisting that it is ‘just a football game’. Argentina made it to the last four after beating Switzerland 3-1 in their quarterfinal match on Sunday (Jul 11). Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister put the defending champions ahead with a header in the 10th minute, only for Dan Ndoye to equalise in the second half. The Kansas City Stadium erupted in joy after Julian Alvarez curled in a breathtaking golazo in the 112th minute as striker Lautaro Martínez added a cherry on the cake with a late goal to seal the win. Earlier, disaster struck for Switzerland in the second half, when Breel Embolo was shown a second yellow card for simulation, reducing them to 10 men. Also read| FIFA 2026 | 'We knew that we were going to suffer': Scaloni after Argentina edge Switzerland to reach semis Argentina will now turn their attention to England in the semifinal, which promises to be a pulsating encounter. However, despite the rich history between the two countries that extends beyond football, Scaloni decided to set all that aside and see this mouth-watering clash as just another game for Argentina. "Look, this is a football game," he said. "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." This match against England comes 40 years after their famous quarterfinal at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, when Argentina secured a 2-1 win over the Three Lions. Diego Maradona scored a brace, including the infamous ‘Hand of God’ and another dazzling solo effort, considered one of the best.

Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni brushed aside the historic rivalry with England, calling their upcoming World Cup semi-final "just another game" after a grueling 3-1 quarter-final win over Switzerland.

Scaloni insists England semifinal is ‘just another game’ following late Swiss showdown

argentina-world-cup-2026

Argentina World Cup 2026, News on Argentina World Cup 2026, stories on Argentina World Cup 2026, articles on Argentina World Cup 2026, Argentina World Cup 2026 stories at Wion, Argentina World Cup 2026 news, Argentina World Cup 2026 latest news

argentina world-cup-2026

‘Tired or Not, I Don’t Care’: Scaloni issues blunt ultimatum to Argentina stars for World Cup semifinal

Scaloni insists England semis ‘just another game’ following late Swiss showdown