England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford expressed confidence in his team's ability to maintain composure and focus in the upcoming clash against Argentina on Wednesday in Atlanta, in the semifinals of the World Cup in North America.

The World Cup is the premier sporting event in the world of football, drawing global attention during its decisive stages leading up to the final.

Encounters between the two teams are known to be among the most tense and fierce in the world, due to the thorny incidents that take place on and off the pitch.

Related news Pickford said England have largely managed to avoid altercations during the current edition and can handle the pressure. He added on Monday at the team's training base in Kansas City: 'I think you've seen throughout the tournament our desire to win duels. We haven't gotten into any arguments or anything like that.' He continued: 'We are highly respected in the game. Decisions go for or against us, but we refocus and carry on and let the football do the talking.' He added: 'That's what we've done throughout the tournament. Apart from Jarrell (Quansah sent off against Mexico in the quarterfinal), we haven't had any suspensions, no second bookings or anything like that.' Argentina captain Lionel Messi will be the focus of attention before the semifinal in Atlanta, but the Everton goalkeeper also praised England's stars. He said: 'Everyone will talk about Messi because he is one of the greatest to ever play the game.' He added: 'But you can't ignore the qualities and talents we have in the squad, offensively, defensively, and in terms of team spirit. We have everything, and that's what we need to show on Wednesday.' The history of encounters between England and Argentina is packed with incidents, against the backdrop of the ongoing sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands, known in Spanish as the Malvinas, in the South Atlantic. The most notable meeting between the two sides was Argentina's 2-1 victory in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, which featured two goals from Diego Maradona—one famously known as the 'Hand of God' and the other a stunning solo effort considered among the best in history. But this historical legacy is not of great importance to Pickford, as England seeks to win a major title for the first time since 1966. He said: 'It's a match between us and them for a place in the final, and it's a football match. 90 minutes, 120, or penalties.' He concluded: 'We are ready for anything, and it's about who comes out on top. We are fully prepared for that.' جو/م م/جأش

This match transcends sports, becoming a mental and physical test for both teams, as England seeks to end its long drought of major titles since 1966. With the world anticipating the game, the bet will be on the players' ability to control their emotions under the pressure of a semifinal, especially with stars like Lionel Messi on the opposing side.