England vs. Argentina: ‘We’re different, it’s not arrogance’ — how Sceloni’s old guard silenced doubters to reach World Cup final

Argentina’s road to the semi-finals has been uneventful.

The victories of Cape Verde, Egypt and Switzerland owe more to the brilliance of Lionel Messi and the enigma of the winning team than any collective performance.

The game against England was no different, but this time, the quality of football matched the occasion. It was the first time in this World Cup that Argentina looked like champions.

‘We’re different, and that’s not being arrogant,’ Scaloni said after the final whistle. ‘The fans are the ones who carried us to victory.’

The result: Argentina 2-1 England, with Enzo Fernandez equalizing in the 85th minute and Lautaro Martinez heading in Messi’s cross in the 92nd minute to send the Albiceleste to their second consecutive World Cup final.

Scaloni made one change, but stuck with his veterans

The only change from Switzerland’s quarter-final was Giuliano Simeone who replaced Rodrigo de Paul from the start, with the task of staying wide on the right while Nicolas Tagliafico provided the same width on the left. The 23-year-old had his moments, providing pace at the back when Argentina needed it.

But the key contributions came from the players Scaloni refused to let go of, especially those who attracted the most criticism.

Questions about Enzo Fernandez’s physical condition before the start of the games were important. He looked tired in the knockout round. None of this came from Atlanta.

Playing on the right side of the pitch, Fernandez was vital in supporting Argentina’s formation from deep – dropping in between the defenders as Leandro Paredes pulled Harry Kane – before finding the right moment to drive forward.

After three shots from outside the area, his fourth – curled into the far corner on 85 minutes – pulled Argentina level. He finished the game as the leader in tackles with 104, passing accuracy with 84 and long passing accuracy among outfielders with three.

Alexis Mac Allister, less involved in the build, offered a different threat: attacking the box. He hit the post twice. The second came moments before Messi sent in a cross that Lautaro headed home.

De Paul came on for Simeone on 26 minutes, providing more control as England sat deep to protect their lead. As Argentina’s search intensified, Scloni adopted the methods that defined his 2022 title campaign – throwing bodies into the box without regard to their natural position.

Nicolas Otamendi, the mainstay of Qatar’s victory, came in as a temporary striker. Nico Gonzalez switched to left back as Lautaro – the winner of the match – replaced Tagliafico in what became a siege of England’s penalty area.

Tuchel was defending himself after Gordon’s goal, and it cost him in the end. Argentina’s late surge, built on the weight of numbers in the box and Messi’s unerring delivery, proved impossible to contain.

Scloni’s problem for the World Cup final

© Imago / Grzegorz Wajda / Ball Raw Images

The game confirmed that the Argentine veteran has more in the tank than many believed. Scloni will probably say the same starting eleven against Spain, with one open question: De Paul or Simeone?

De Paul brings possession and the ability to dominate the midfield, which complements Argentina’s short passing game – particularly suited to a Spanish side that likes to dominate the ball.

Simeone provides tireless pressing and attacking pace to exploit the space behind Marc Cucurella, who has been one of the tournament’s standout defenders. The final is Sunday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.