The group stage went smoothly for the Argentina national team – but that was precisely where things began to complicate for Lionel Messi. First, the world champions were dragged into extra time against a weak Cape Verde squad, then they required a heroic comeback against Egypt, and in the quarterfinals, they defeated Switzerland only after 120 minutes of play against ten players. In the Albiceleste camp, team officials know full well that the squad must deliver a much better performance against England in the semifinal on Wednesday – to preserve the dream of winning a second consecutive World Cup. The national team began its preparations with a training session that included only the substitutes, while Messi sat out.
"We are going to recover, that is what we need, and that is the most important thing," Coach Lionel Scaloni said during a press conference. According to TyC, the starting lineup players watched the training session from the sidelines, aiming to rest after 120 intensive minutes. The good news comes from Cristian Romero and Leandro Paredes, who will be fit to play.
"We will put Messi to bed"
Meanwhile, England is also preparing for the match, which they will enter as favorites – at least based on the performance shown by both national teams so far in the tournament. This will mark the first time that Messi faces the Three Lions, a topic discussed by Joe Cole, Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Micah Richards on a sports program broadcast on Netflix.
"We're going to put him to bed," Cole declared defiantly, prompting the rest of the panel to quiet him, saying, "Do not say that, we will say that in another eight days." But the former Chelsea and Liverpool player continued, "I'm saying it now, England are going to the World Cup final, we've got too much pace for Argentina, and we're going to beat them, I feel it in my bones."
Gary Neville, the former player who now serves as a commentator for Sky Sports, addressed the center-back duo of Romero and Lisandro Martinez, saying, "I call them the best-worst center-back duo in the world. Sometimes they are absolutely exceptional, and a moment later, they become ridiculous. It seems like they cost their team a goal every game, and when they wear the national team jersey, something happens."
