Tuchel puts history aside for Argentina test

ATLANTA, United States, July 15– England manager Thomas Tuchel says his side is embracing the pressure, not the history, as it chases a first World Cup final in 60 years against Argentina on Wednesday.

The semifinal in Atlanta pits England against an Argentina side seeking back-to-back triumphs after winning the 2022 tournament in Qatar, while Tuchel’s side seeks a first men’s title since 1966.

“It’s a big rivalry – two big football nations, as every fan knows, and everyone knows what it brings,” Tuchel told a news conference on Tuesday. “We expect an intense match, an emotional match, with a lot of momentum swings. Anything else would surprise me.”

England has the superior head-to-head World Cup record between the teams with three wins from their five previous meetings.