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World Cup: Tuchel jokes about stopping Messi ahead of England vs Argentina semifinal
15th July, 2026 07:46 AM
England boss Thomas Tuchel has made a lighthearted joke that he hopes Argentina’s maestro Lionel Messi catches a cold ahead of the semifinal of the 2026 World Cup, pitting his team against the world champions.
In a pre-match interview before England’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina this Wednesday, July 15, 2026, Tuchel was asked what he could take away from the opposition he hopes to overcome for a coveted appearance at the World Cup final.
The German went straight for the Argentine talisman.
“Maybe… Messi catches a cold,” the gaffer said in between a light laugh.
The German coach quickly clarified that he was only joking before delivering a respectful response.
“Of course I am kidding. We want to face the strongest Argentina possible, and we want England to be at our strongest as well. England’s chances for a first World Cup final since 1966, when they last won the tournament, lie in neutralising the Argentines’ strengths and particularly the reigning World Cup best scorer and goal provider.
Tuchel maintained that the team focused on getting the job done on the pitch by
“We want to beat them, and we will try to find the solution to getting it done. We need to take their strengths away on the field on a sporting level and be the deserved winners in the clash. We can only do that through what happens on the pitch,” he emphasised.
England’s encounter with the South American team is set to add another chapter to one of football’s most celebrated FIFA World Cup rivalries, marking their first meeting at the tournament in more than 20 years.
Past meetings
The two nations have faced each other five times at the FIFA World Cup. England has emerged victorious on three occasions, while Argentina has claimed two wins, one of which came through a penalty shootout.
However, the history between the sides is remembered more for its drama than the results themselves.
Their first World Cup encounter came during the 1962 group stage, where England secured a 3-1 victory. But the rivalry truly intensified four years later in the 1966 quarterfinals at Wembley.
England edged the contest 1-0 thanks to Geoff Hurst’s late strike, although the match became famous for the controversial sending-off of Argentina captain Antonio Rattin.
Famous Hand of God
The rivalry reached its most iconic moment at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, where Diego Maradona inspired Argentina to a 2-1 quarterfinal victory.
Maradona famously opened the scoring with his hand before producing a breathtaking solo effort just four minutes later, weaving past several England players before beating goalkeeper Peter Shilton. The first strike became known worldwide as the “Hand of God,”
Recent meeting
Their most recent encounter came in a friendly match in Geneva in 2005, although clashes between the two sides have rarely felt friendly. England won 3-2 after Michael Owen struck twice late in the game.
