England are fighting to shake up history, Argentina are looking for more
January 15 – After 101 games, including blood sweat and tears against Mexico and Norway, it’s come to this: Argentina and Lionel Messi split England in their first World Cup final since 1966.
When England take to the field in Atlanta later today, they will carry the weight of history and nation on their shoulders as they face defending champions and their talisman Messi in his first game against the Three Lions.
It will be the first World Cup meeting between these two countries since the 2002 World Cup, but history runs deep, something England manager Thomas Tuchel knows.
“I know some of the players, I have coached some of the players. I can hear it. You can see it. They have this kind of intensity. You can feel it when they go down, when the games are difficult. We have the spirit, we have the mindset we need to fight them. And we are ready,” said Tuchel.
“They are almost the same as the team of four years ago, you can see the unity, you can see the sacrifices they put into it.
“And, of course, history … they are also inspired by that. They are inspired by history, it means a lot to them.”
In 1998, Argentina knocked England out of the knockout stages in one of the tournament’s most spectacular performances, including David Beckham’s dismissal and Michael Owen’s solo goal. The tournament has produced disappointing moments such as Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, where the South Americans reached the final against England.
In previous World Cup matches, England won 3-1 in the group stage in 1962 and 1-0 in the quarter-finals in 1966, when they became champions. England and Tuchel want that kind of history to repeat itself, but they are up against an opponent who has shown great resilience, hoping for his old guard who won the 2022 World Cup, in this tournament. They stormed back into the game against Egypt and dispatched Switzerland after extra time. Every time Argentina are on the brink, they get that little bit.
England also had to dove to reach the last four. They beat fellow Mexicans 3-2 in a thriller for the ages at the Azteca Stadium and sent Erling Haaland and the Norwegians home in the heat and humidity of Miami where Jude Bellingham once again proved to be a hero.
However, Tuchel criticized his side, causing Bellingham to be disqualified. On the eve of the semi-final, Germany played down the mini-saga and focused on the task at hand – which is to win history, tie history and reach a second World Cup final in England.
Spain, who beat France 2-0 on Tuesday, look forward to the final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
In Euro 2024, Spain and England are fighting for the European title. Argentina’s presence in the showpiece would mean the first World Cup final between the defending European champions and the reigning South American champions.
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