Tuchel weighs man-marking Messi for Argentina semifinal
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- Thomas Tuchel said he and his staff don't discuss historic moments with England's players, aiming to "reduce the information the bigger the stage gets" ahead of Wednesday's semifinal against Argentina.
- Lionel Scaloni downplayed the Falklands dimension — "this is a football match" — while embracing Maradona's 1986 "Hand of God" goal against England as "such a beautiful goal" that "will be forever in our hearts."
- Tuchel admitted he considered "old school man-marking" for Lionel Messi, who enters the semifinal as the tournament's joint top scorer with eight goals.
- England are one win from their first World Cup final in 60 years, but Tuchel called Saturday's extra-time quarterfinal win over Norway "dull" with "too many technical errors" and rushed decision-making that broke their attacking rhythm.
- Argentina's path to the semis has been turbulent — extra-time wins over Cape Verde and Switzerland plus a comeback from 2-0 down against Egypt in the round of 16.
- A chant referencing "the Malvinas, for Diego, for Leo's last World Cup" has become a common refrain among Argentine fans and players this tournament, despite Scaloni's attempts to steer clear of the political context.
Why it matters: England's 60-year wait for a final meets a rivalry whose baggage — the Falklands, Maradona's 1986 handball — neither coach can erase. Tuchel publicly weighing old-school man-marking for Messi, the tournament's joint top scorer with eight goals, shows how central containing Argentina's captain is to England's semifinal game plan.
