Argentina coach downplays rivalry ahead of England World Cup semi-final

Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni insisted that the upcoming World Cup semi-final against England is simply a soccer match, devoid of any deeper significance beyond the sport itself. "It's a soccer match. Period. There's nothing more to it," Scaloni told reporters, urging against searching for additional meaning in the encounter.

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It's a soccer match. Period. There's nothing more to it.

The match revives one of international soccer's most storied rivalries, a history shaped by England's 1966 World Cup victory over Argentina, the 1982 Falklands War, and Diego Maradona's infamous "Hand of God" goal in 1986. The teams have met multiple times since, including at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups.

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Let's not look for anything else. It's a soccer match. We're going to play a soccer match against a great national team that has a great coach whom I appreciate and admire a lot.

Despite Scaloni's efforts to frame it as just another game, the historical weight is undeniable. The Falklands, known as the Malvinas in Argentina, remain a sensitive issue more than four decades after the 1982 conflict. Argentina supporters and players have referenced the islands in chants during the tournament, linking them to Lionel Messi's quest for a second World Cup title.

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Obviously, outside the four lines of the pitch, it's a matchup that has a lot of history, a lot of pain, and a lot behind it.

Argentina forward Jose Manuel Lopez acknowledged the historical context but stressed the team's professional approach. "Obviously, outside the four lines of the pitch, it's a matchup that has a lot of history, a lot of pain, and a lot behind it," he said. "But we're professionals. We're going to play it the way we play every match." Lopez added that a World Cup semi-final is a dream for all his teammates, requiring no extra motivation.

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But we're professionals. We're going to play it the way we play every match, until the very last second, as we showed tonight, leaving everything out there.