Thomas Tuchel says Argentina players are 'fuelled by history' ahead of World Cup semi-final clash

Thomas Tuchel said Argentina are "fuelled by history" ahead of England's World Cup semi-final clash this evening.

The Three Lions are bidding to reach their second-ever World Cup final, 60 years on from England's last on home soil.

There has been much discussion surrounding the context of this fixture, with dramatic previous encounters and tensions over the Falklands War in 1982.

When asked about how the situation around the game will be impacting the Argentine squad, Tuchel said: "I know some of the players, I coached some of the players, I can sense it.

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"You can see it. They have this kind of edge. You can sense it when they're going a goal down, and when matches are tight. They're a tough team to beat. It's just what it is. They're a tough group.

"They're almost the same group as four years ago. You can see the cohesion, you can see the sacrifice that they put into it.

"They don't panic when they're behind. They believe in their style. And their style is a very emotional style. It was in Qatar, and it is now. They have the same coach.

"And of course, history, they are also fuelled by that, they are fuelled by history, it means a lot to them.

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"So, this is what we basically expect, and what we are up against. But we are also emotional; we have the grit, we have the mentality that it takes to go up against it. And we are ready for it."

Lionel Messi, 39, will be playing his first-ever match against England, having shone so far at this World Cup, scoring eight goals.

Commenting on the matter of facing arguably the best player of all-time, the England boss said: "I was thinking about this, if we do a proper old school man-mark.

"I'm not sure if we follow through with this idea, but it crossed my mind.

"I think everyone knows the spaces where he wants to show up. It's just like, you analyse the matches, you feel he just sees stuff earlier than anyone else on the field.

"It's just like the ball drops to him, he finds the gap, he makes himself the space for his left foot and then executes the solution on the very highest level.

"I think we found some patterns in their game, of course, but if we close the patterns, he will find a new one or create a new one. It is his super strength; it is just what it is.

"It is an exciting setup, it is very unique to play against the reigning champions, it is very unique to play against Leo Messi and his team.

"It is unique to play with England against Argentina. It is just a big match in every department."

England kick-off tonight at 8pm in Atlanta, Georgia, with victory sending the Three Lions through to the World Cup final against Spain on Sunday.

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