Argentina must blend flair and grit against England in semifinal

Argentina steps onto the pitch on Wednesday for its fifth World Cup or Copa América semifinal, tasked with showcasing the flair and grit that define this team. Manager Lionel Scaloni stressed the need to play the style that delivered the 2022 title: ambitious, determined, and creative. The last result —Angola 0-2 Argentina (14 Nov 2025)— and three straight wins in qualifying back that confidence.

What is Scaloni asking of his side?

Scaloni acknowledged grit isn’t lacking, but called for more. "We have to play football, the kind that made us strong," he said Tuesday. England arrives with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham in top form, two of the world’s best. "They’re players any coach would want. We’ll try to neutralize them with our own weapons," he warned.

The manager also pointed to the team’s experience in big games. "This will be our fifth semifinal in major tournaments. That gives us calm," he said. Argentina’s path hasn’t been easy: it overcame Cabo Verde, Egypt, and Switzerland in tight knockout matches where Messi scored eight goals but the team had to scrap for every step.

History’s shadow and the task ahead

The match carries political weight from the 1982 conflict, but Scaloni was blunt: "It’s a football match. I can’t mix things up." He steered clear of references to the Falklands War and focused on the sporting challenge. "That was a sad period in our history. This is a football match, nothing more," he stressed.

Argentina arrives on a three-game winning streak in qualifiers and high spirits. Scaloni closed: "We’re happy, satisfied, eager. We want to celebrate with our people and give them the joy of seeing their team leave everything on the field." The goal is simple: reach the final and enjoy the ride.