Tuchel remains calm despite past precedents as England prepares to face Argentina in World Cup semifinal clash

Thomas Tuchel is undaunted by the historical significance of England's upcoming match against Argentina, as he seeks to guide the team to their first World Cup final in 60 years on Wednesday.

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The team's campaign has been spearheaded by Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, who have each scored six goals in the 2026 tournament.

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Lionel Messi, at the age of 39, will be facing England for the first time, a remarkable fact given the historical importance of the fixture.

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In a press conference in Atlanta on Tuesday, Tuchel expressed his lack of trepidation, stating that while he feels tension and nerves, it is a normal sensation.

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According to Tuchel, the players are "really competitive, hungry and excited" to play the match, and he appreciates the iconic nature of the England and Argentina shirts.

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The two nations have a storied history, having clashed five times at World Cups, including the infamous 1986 quarter-final where Diego Maradona scored the "Hand of God" goal in a 2-1 win.

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Tuchel recognizes that the fixture is more than just another football match, given its history and iconic moments, but as a coach, he will focus on what he can influence.

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The German coach will not use the rivalry between the teams as motivation, instead choosing to concentrate on the task at hand.

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Tuchel emphasized that his team knows what they want and are "hungry" to achieve it, having never been shy about their expectations.

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The England squad trained in its entirety on the eve of the game, with Declan Rice declared fit to play after recovering from illness, although Jarell Quansah is suspended.

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Tuchel was effusive in his praise of Lionel Messi, who has scored eight goals in the tournament, but struggled to find the words to describe the Argentine's magical abilities.

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Argentina's cohesion and experience in tournament football are notable, according to Tuchel, who also acknowledged the team's experienced coach and core group of players.

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Despite the challenges they pose, Tuchel believes his team is ready for the obstacle, and will prepare for the best version of Argentina.

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England's path to the semi-finals has not been straightforward, with tough matches against DR Congo, Mexico, and Norway, but Tuchel expects his team to bring their best game.

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Tuchel acknowledged that it is rare for a team to breeze through a tournament, and instead, his team will focus on delivering their best performance against Argentina.