Play store
England defender Marc Guéhi believes the pressure is firmly on defending champions Argentina ahead of their FIFA World Cup semifinal, insisting his side has nothing to fear as they chase a place in the final.
England take on Argentina in the second semifinal on Wednesday in one of international football’s fiercest rivalries, with a place in Sunday’s World Cup final at stake.
Speaking before the match, Guéhi said England were approaching the contest with excitement rather than pressure.
“There’s no pressure on us. Why should there be? They’re the world champions. They’re the ones trying to defend the title. The responsibility is on them, not us,” he said.
The semifinal revives one of the most storied rivalries in World Cup history. Diego Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” goal in the 1986 quarterfinal remains one of football’s most controversial moments, while David Beckham’s red card during the teams’ 1998 Round of 16 clash is still remembered by English fans.
Beyond football, relations between the two countries have long been shaped by the legacy of the 1982 Falklands War, adding another layer of emotion whenever they meet on the international stage.
However, England defender Ezri Konsa said the squad is determined not to be distracted by history.
“We have to focus on ourselves. We need to put the past behind us, stay calm and concentrate on producing our best football,” he said.
Both Guéhi and Konsa are expected to start against Argentina, with the daunting task of containing Lionel Messi.
But Guéhi stressed that England’s focus extends beyond the Argentine captain.
“Messi is an incredible player, probably one of the greatest of all time, and we’ll do everything we can to stop him. But Argentina are not just about one player. They have quality all over the pitch. The most important thing is to stay focused on ourselves and execute our game plan,” he said.
England are bidding to reach their first World Cup final since winning the tournament in 1966, while Argentina are aiming for a second consecutive final and the chance to defend the title they won in Qatar four years ago.