England captain Harry Kane says squad ‘completely together’ before World Cup semi-final
England captain Harry Kane has stated that the squad is “completely together” as they prepare for their World Cup semi-final match against Argentina. This comes after comments made by manager Thomas Tuchel regarding the team’s performance in their recent victory over Norway.
England secured their place in the final four with a 2-1 win against Norway in Miami. Following the match, Tuchel expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s performance, stating he was “not happy” in “every sense” and that England “got lucky.” When asked about these remarks, midfielder Jude Bellingham responded, “Yeah, well, whatever. It’s difficult out there – it’s a tough shift.”
Squad Unity and Managerial Style
Speaking on Monday, Kane addressed the perception of division within the England camp. He explained that Bellingham’s comment, made five minutes after a challenging match, was taken out of context. Kane highlighted that it is easy to try and create divisions, particularly around major tournaments, but stressed that the team’s success is due to their “complete togetherness,” encompassing players, coaches, and staff.
Kane also spoke about Tuchel’s distinctive managerial approach, noting that it differs from that of his predecessor, Sir Gareth Southgate. He described Tuchel as someone who “wears his heart on his sleeve” and whose unscripted communication resonates with the team. Kane affirmed that the squad understands Tuchel’s methods, acknowledging him as one of the world’s top managers.
The upcoming semi-final will see England face Lionel Messi’s Argentina in Atlanta. Left-back Nico O’Reilly described the opportunity to play against the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” O’Reilly, who has never faced Messi at club level, expressed his anticipation for the challenge, considering Messi to be the best player to have ever played the sport.
Messi began the tournament with a hat-trick in a 3-0 victory against Algeria, becoming the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history by equalling Miroslav Klose’s record of goals. He has since scored additional goals, bringing his career World Cup tally to and placing him joint-first with France’s Kylian Mbappe in the Golden Boot race.
Historical Rivalry and Upcoming Challenge
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford acknowledged Messi’s talent but cautioned against focusing solely on him, emphasizing the need to consider Lionel Scaloni’s entire Argentina squad. Pickford stated that while Messi’s contributions are well-known, England must also concentrate on Argentina’s other strengths and identify potential weaknesses to exploit.
The rivalry between England and Argentina has a long and storied history, often described as a trans-continental derby influenced by political and historical events. Former Argentina player Diego Simeone, known for his encounter with David Beckham in the 1998 World Cup, has previously expressed his enjoyment of playing against English teams, citing their open, aggressive, and passionate style of play.
The 1998 World Cup last-16 match between the two nations is remembered for Beckham’s red card and Michael Owen’s memorable goal. Simeone recalled it as one of the greatest international matches he had played in, noting England’s performance with men for a significant portion of the game. The match ultimately ended in a penalty shootout victory for Argentina.
In 2002, England secured a 1-0 victory over Argentina in Sapporo, with Beckham scoring a penalty. This match also featured an incident involving Owen and Mauricio Pochettino, then an Argentina defender, which became a point of discussion regarding fair play.
The winner of the upcoming semi-final will advance to the World Cup final, scheduled for Sunday, at the New York New Jersey Stadium, where they will face either France or Spain.
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Source: bbc.com