The reigning world champions will face Thomas Tuchel's England for a place in the World Cup final, adding another chapter to a rivalry shaped by decades of unforgettable moments, from Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal to David Beckham's red card in 1998 and his penalty redemption four years later.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think this is one of football\u2019s iconic rivalries. It\u2019s built not only on football and World Cup history but also on the broader history between the two nations. There have been so many unforgettable moments; the Maradona goal, David Beckham\u2019s sending off, Beckham\u2019s penalty, and of course the backdrop of the Falklands conflict. All of that adds another layer to what is already a huge football fixture. Every player knows this is an opportunity to become part of football history,\" Fowler said on Zee5.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Fowler expects the midfield battle to have a major influence on the outcome, with Argentina's trio of Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez and Rodrigo De Paul likely to dictate the tempo against an England side spearheaded by Jude Bellingham.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cEngland need to stay compact and avoid dropping too deep because that only invites pressure. Argentina will look to dominate possession through midfield and create overloads between the lines, so England have to be disciplined defensively. Ultimately, whichever side wins the midfield battle without sacrificing its defensive structure will control the game,\u201d Fowler added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The former Liverpool forward also believes the psychological aspect of knockout football becomes increasingly important as tournaments reach their climax.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe best teams stick to their game plan. They don\u2019t panic, even if they fall behind. They trust the process and continue making good decisions under pressure. At this stage of the tournament, the technical difference between the remaining teams is very small. In matches like these, mentality can be the deciding factor,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Argentina enter the semi-final looking to defend the World Cup crown, with Lionel Messi continuing to lead the side after their quarter-final victory over Switzerland. England, meanwhile, are chasing their first appearance in a World Cup final since lifting the trophy on home soil in 1966, having impressed under Tuchel with disciplined performances throughout the tournament.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe best teams stick to their game plan. They don\u2019t panic, even if they fall behind. They trust the process and continue making good decisions under pressure. At this stage of the tournament, the technical difference between the remaining teams is very small. In matches like these, mentality can be the deciding factor,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 live and exclusively on Zee 5 in Hindi, English, Malayalam, and Bangla.<\/p>\r\n\r\n