Lionel Scaloni previewed the semifinal against England: "We are going to leave it all on the field"

The Argentine National Team will face one of the most important matches of the 2026 World Cup this Wednesday when they take on England in the semifinals. In the pre-match press conference, Lionel Scaloni analyzed the team's current situation, discussed the opponent, recalled the historic match of Mexico 1986, asked not to mix football with the Falklands War, and left a message of gratitude for the fans.

How the Team Arrives at the Semifinal

Scaloni explained that the coaching staff worked on aspects to correct after the hard-fought victory against Switzerland, although he emphasized that it will be a completely different match. "We analyzed the previous match, we watched it as always. This will be a different match, as they all are. We will try to improve on the aspects where we were not good, we have talked about it and analyzed it with the boys", he stated.

At the same time, he highlighted the moment the squad is going through: "We are well, with great enthusiasm. It is a World Cup semifinal, with the intact hope and with the eternal gratitude to these players who have taken us to play a World Cup semifinal again with all the difficulty that reaching this point entails".

"A month and a half ago I would have signed to be here"

When asked if the team arrives in the conditions he imagined at the start of the tournament, the coach made it clear that the main objective was already to reach this stage. "The truth is that I don't think about whether I am where I wanted to be because a month and a half ago reaching a World Cup semifinal I would have signed to get here no matter what. It didn't matter to me", he affirmed.

He added: "I have no complaints. Whether we are tired or not tired doesn't matter to me. We are in a World Cup semifinal. Now I am super hopeful, we are super hopeful, happy, and we are going to play it".

The Memory of Maradona and the Goal Against England

As was inevitable, Scaloni was also asked about Diego Maradona and the historic match of the 1986 World Cup. "I believe that everyone remembers that match, remembers Diego's performance and especially the second goal, which will be kept in our hearts for the beauty of the goal. I think it was a wonderful goal and any football lover remembers it in the best way", he expressed.

In addition, he clarified that the value of that masterpiece transcends the opponent: "It was against England by chance, but if it had been against another opponent it would have been just as beautiful".

The Possible Changes and the Challenge of Stopping Bellingham and Kane

Regarding the team to face England, Scaloni avoided confirming the lineup, although he acknowledged that he is considering variations. "We always analyze how to improve the team and how to try to neutralize these great players in the best way. It may be a possibility that we make some changes and it may also be a possibility that we repeat", he commented.

Regarding Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, he was complimentary: "They are two great players, among the best in the world. Any coach would want to have them. We will try to neutralize them with our weapons and hope to carry out our game plan".

The Value of Having Reached This Point

The coach also emphasized the importance of having reached a World Cup semifinal again, regardless of what happens against England. "We have to give enormous value to what we have achieved. Beyond the fact that we will try with all our strength to reach the final, I think that with the teams that have been eliminated it is a great achievement and we should take it as such", he stated.

He added: "We have done so many good things that sometimes it is not enough for us, but I can assure you that I am calm, satisfied, and super grateful to my players".

The Internal Competition Does Not Change the Criteria

When asked about the possibility of making changes in the midfield, Scaloni made it clear that decisions are always made thinking exclusively about the team. "I don't understand why they couldn't come in or out. We have done it before. The team comes first and we will make the decision thinking about it", he affirmed.

In addition, he explained the criteria he has maintained since the beginning of his cycle: "We never think about what they have given us or what they were, but about what they are and what they give us in the present".

What Argentina Cannot Lack

When asked about what he would not forgive the team in a situation like this, Scaloni assured that commitment will never be lacking. "The desire and ambition are overflowing. We need to recover playing football, playing with the ball, which is where we have always been strong. Everything else we have", he explained.

He then insisted: "My players have always given their all on the field. I take that for granted. What we must not forget is to play".

The Message for the Fans

Scaloni took advantage of the conference to send a message to the thousands of Argentines who support the team. "Enjoy the moment, because today is a time to be satisfied and hopeful. We will give everything until the last moment", he expressed.

In addition, he explained why he believes this group generates so much identification: "I think it is because they play good football, because we have good players and because we have a culture of never giving a match up for lost".

The Physical Weariness Takes a Backseat

Scaloni acknowledged that physical demands exist, although he assured that a semifinal makes everything take a backseat. "Being in a World Cup semifinal makes fatigue take a backseat", he stated.

However, he clarified that he will not risk players: "In any case, whoever is not in condition tomorrow will not play. The one who is fit will play".

The Ongoing Dialogue with the Players

The coach also explained the viral exchange he had with Leandro Paredes during the previous match and highlighted the importance of listening to those on the field. "The one on the field is the player, not the coach. The one who sees the situation and the difficulty is the player", he pointed out.

He then shared that these conversations are common: "That always happens, also in the locker room. They are open to say whatever they want and debate. I think it is something normal in today's football".

Spain, the First Finalist

Scaloni also referred to Spain's qualification for the final and highlighted the growth of the team led by Luis de la Fuente. "I watched a bit of the match and it seemed to me a deserving winner. I think Spain has come from less to more and today they played the most complete match of the World Cup", he affirmed. He then congratulated the European team: "Congratulations to them because they have won fairly".

"It’s a football match, let’s not mix things up"

One of the most important moments of the conference came when he was asked about the historical context of the duel against England and the Falklands War. In this regard, Scaloni was emphatic: "The reality is that it is a football match. I cannot mix things up, especially out of respect for what happened so many years ago".

And he asked to separate both planes: "Mixing it would be madness. We criticize wars in other parts of the world and I am going to say that this is more than a football match. It seems crazy to me".

Nonetheless, he clarified: "As Argentines, we remember those people, especially those who lost their loved ones. That is logical, but let's not mix things up, please. This is football".

The Experience, a Point in Favor

Scaloni also spoke about the calmness that this group has from having gone through these types of instances in recent years. "Fortunately, we have some experience in having played these matches. It doesn't give you the chance to win, but it does allow you to be a bit more relaxed knowing what you will encounter when the match starts", he explained. He added: "They, regardless of the magnitude of the match, are calm waiting for the start".

The Blue Jersey and the Plan to Face England

Regarding the decision to wear the alternative jersey, Scaloni downplayed its importance. "I don't know who asked to play with the blue. Maybe it's a tradition, I don't know", he replied with a smile.

As for the match's development, he hinted at Argentina's intention: "The idea is to take the ball and, when we don't have it, try to suffer as little as possible. England has very explosive and fast players on the wings, but we will try to surprise them with some nuances".

His Reaction After Julián Álvarez's Goal Against Switzerland

Scaloni also revealed what went through his mind after Julián Álvarez's second goal in the quarterfinals. "I was thinking about the lives this team has, about their desire to keep competing and how they surprise you day by day", he confessed.

Although he quickly refocused on the match: "Then I started thinking about the five minutes left because the team was unbalanced and needed to be adjusted".

Gratitude to Bangladesh

At the end of the conference, Scaloni also dedicated some words to the millions of fans that the Argentine National Team has in Bangladesh, one of the countries where it generates the most impact.