Buenos aires herald

FIFA World Cup: Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni played down the historical rivalry with England ahead of their blockbuster FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal, insisting that the highly anticipated encounter is 'just a football match' and should not be turned into something more.

The defending champions booked their place in the last four after a hard-fought 3-1 extra-time victory over Switzerland in the quarterfinals. Argentina struggled for long periods before eventually finding a way through, with a red card for the Swiss proving to be a key turning point in the contest.

The victory set up a semifinal showdown with England on Thursday at Atlanta Stadium, adding another chapter to one of the World Cup’s most storied rivalries. However, Scaloni sought to lower the temperature ahead of the high-profile clash.