Lionel Scaloni, head coach of the Argentina national football team, affirmed that he is not worried about fatigue or the performance level of his players during their journey to reach the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup, as the three-time world champion prepares to renew the historic rivalry with England on Wednesday in the semi-finals. The title holder looks to reach the final for the second consecutive time by defeating the team of German coach Thomas Tuchel in a match that evokes the 1986 edition and the legend Diego Maradona. Scaloni said in the press conference: "We are in good shape and can't wait. This is a World Cup semi-final, and our hopes are still alive, and we are very grateful to these players for bringing us here again." Argentina, with its aging squad led by its 39-year-old star Lionel Messi, had to fight hard through the knockout rounds to reach this stage. The Albiceleste faced difficult moments against Cape Verde, who twice came from behind before Scaloni's men sealed a 3-2 win after extra time, then needed a late rally to beat Egypt by the same score in Atlanta before resorting to another exhausting 30 minutes of extra time to beat ten-man Switzerland 3-1 on Saturday. Scaloni, who led the Albiceleste to glory in 2022, added: "A month and a half ago, if I had been offered to reach the semi-finals, I would have accepted, so I don't care how we got here, and I can't blame my players. Whether we are tired or not, that doesn't matter to me. This is a World Cup semi-final." The two teams have met in five World Cup matches, the most notable being in the 1986 quarter-final when Maradona opened the scoring with his famous handball goal before sealing the win with a brilliant individual effort. The coach continued: "I think everyone remembers that match, and Maradona's performance, especially the second goal that will remain in all our hearts, because it was so beautiful, it was a wonderful goal. Any football fan remembers it that way, and it just happened to be against England." On the other hand, the former West Ham United defender acknowledged that his players face a tough task in trying to stop Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, England's stars who have scored 12 of the Three Lions' 13 goals in the tournament, and added: "We always look at what we can improve, and how we can neutralize these great players in the best way. Maybe we will make a change, but it is also possible that we will play with the same lineup. They are both wonderful players, among the best in the world. Any coach would wish to have them at his disposal."