England is preparing for their World Cup semi-final match against Argentina with only two players expected to be unavailable. Head coach Thomas Tuchel confirmed that Jordan Henderson and Jarell Quansah are the sole absentees for the upcoming fixture in Atlanta.
Henderson is currently recovering from surgery on a broken arm, an injury sustained during celebrations after the last-16 victory over Mexico. Meanwhile, defender Quansah is serving a suspension following a red card received in the same match. These absences leave Tuchel with various options as he finalizes his starting lineup for the crucial game.
Despite not fielding the same starting back four in consecutive games throughout the tournament, Tuchel is reportedly considering maintaining the defensive lineup that began the quarter-final against Norway. This quartet included Ezri Konsa, John Stones, Marc Guehi, and Nico O’Reilly. Tuchel was reportedly impressed with their performance during the 2-1 win against Norway.
Midfielder Declan Rice, whose preparations for the Norway game were significantly affected by illness, has shown improvement. Reports on Monday indicated optimism regarding his condition, and he trained fully on Tuesday. Tuchel has since confirmed Rice’s availability, stating he is ready to start in Atlanta, despite also dealing with a hamstring issue during the tournament.
The match against Argentina marks a significant chapter in the rivalry between the two nations. It will be their first encounter in 21 years, with their last fixture being a friendly in 2005. Security measures have been heightened in Atlanta for this highly anticipated semi-final.
This game will also be the first time Lionel Messi faces Tuchel’s England side. However, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has cautioned against focusing too much on the Argentina captain, suggesting that an overemphasis could allow other players to pose a threat.
Harry Kane, England‘s captain, has urged his team to concentrate on the game itself rather than getting caught up in the historical and emotional aspects of the rivalry. He emphasized that while the history is a part of the narrative, the focus for the players should be on facing a strong, tactical opponent.
Kane highlighted that Argentina is a team known for being smart and tactical, capable of drawing fouls and slowing down the game. He stressed the importance of the team’s preparation and belief in their ability to succeed on this stage, viewing it as a contest between two major footballing nations in a World Cup semi-final.
In other news surrounding the team, Morgan Rogers and Jude Bellingham have been honored with a mural in Birmingham. Rogers expressed his appreciation for the mural, noting that it provides extra energy and highlights the support from fans back home.
The winner of the England versus Argentina semi-final will face Spain in the final. Spain secured their place by defeating France, with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro.
Argentine war veterans have issued a statement urging fans to focus on the football aspect of the semi-final rather than using it to advance sovereignty claims over the Falkland Islands. The April 2 War Veterans Federation stated that the match is a sporting event, not an occasion for armed revenge or historical compensation, and that sovereignty is defended through international forums and diplomacy.
Golfer Justin Rose, an England supporter, hopes the match concludes without extra time to avoid interfering with his preparations for The Open. He acknowledged that while he will be watching, he also needs to manage his emotions and focus on his own upcoming commitments.
Thomas Tuchel‘s press conference, where he confirmed Declan Rice‘s availability, was delayed due to a late landing in Atlanta.
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Source: bbc.com
