England boss Tuchel urges squad to relish Argentina challenge in push for final

"We will prepare for the best version of Argentina," said Tuchel on the eve of the clash.

"We expect and demand the best of ourselves," the 52-year-old German added.

"We have not peaked yet but the match will bring the best out of us and we are excited."

Argentina, who beat France on penalties in the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, have been in unconvincing form in their surge to the semi-final.

Progress through knockout rounds

They needed extra-time to see off World Cup debutants Cape Verde 3-2 in the last 32.

Egypt led them 2-0 up until the 79th minute before Argentina came back to win 3-2. And in the quarter-final, Switzerland appeared to have their number.

But Argentina's array of stars found moments of magic to win 3-1.

England have also creaked rather than glistened in the knockout rounds.

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In the last 32, they came from behind to beat Democratic Republic of Congo 2-1. They erected a 10-man defensive wall in the 3-2 last-16 victory over Mexico and they profited from sheer good luck to dispatch Norway 2-1 in the quarter-finals.

"What I like is that I feel the players are really competitive, hungry and excited to play this semi-final," said Tuchel.

Moment for history

England have not reached the final since they won the World Cup trophy in 1966. On their way to the crown they faced Argentina in the quarter-final. The match was an ill-tempered affair.

At the end of the game, the England boss Alf Ramsey prevented his players from swapping shirts and condemned the Argentina players as animals.

Acrimony has dogged encounters between the sides since. 

The 1986 World Cup quarter-final was played four years after Britain and Argentina waged war over the Falkland Islands.

In the game, Diego Maradona fooled the officials when he used his hand to push the ball past the England goalkeeper Peter Shilton into the goal.

In 1998, during the last 16 tie at the World Cup in France, the England midfielder David Beckham was sent off for a kicking out at Diego Simeone.

'Shirts are iconic'

"The two shirts are just iconic," said Tuchel. "There are historic matches, iconic moments and everyone recognises the shirts and players straight away.

"I think the players of both countries are very aware of what it means to them.

"If a fixture provides so many iconic moments, then you cannot say it is just another football match, but as a coach we do exactly that, focus on what we can influence."

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Immediately after Argentina beat Switzerland lasgt Saturday to set up the semi-final against England, the Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni stressed the game was not about the past. Lionel Sclaoni steered Argentina to the 2022 World Cup trophy.

"The truth is, this is a football match," Scaloni reiterated on Tuesday.

"I can't mix things, especially out of respect for what happened so many years ago.

"That was a very sad period in our history. And there isn't much we can do about that — that's the truth — and this is a football match, nothing more."

Hunt for glory

Since taking over in 2018, Scaloni has guided Argentina to the World Cup title in 2022 as well as two Copa America trophies.

"We have a little bit of experience playing these kind of games," said the 48-year-old former Argentina international.

"It doesn't give you a real advantage, but perhaps it brings you into the game with a bit more calm and that's something that we've earned.

"Obviously, our opponent is a great team as well. Nothing will be easy. Nothing will be given, and we'll try to get to the final. And we're going to try to enjoy the game."

The winner will play Spain on 19 July at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey after they beat France 2-0 in Dallas.