Argentina happy to be in World Cup semifinal, coach Scaloni says

Argentina happy to be in World Cup semifinal, coach Scaloni saysArgentina are ‘in good shape’ and have no concerns over fatigue as the world champions look to book another final.Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni says he is not concerned about fatigue or his team’s performance before another FIFA World Cup semifinal as they prepare to renew their rivalry with England on Wednesday.The World Cup holders will be seeking to make it to consecutive finals by beating Thomas Tuchel’s side in a fixture that evokes 1986 and Diego Maradona, as well as the lingering sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic.“We are in good shape, and we really can’t wait. This is a World Cup semifinal, and our hopes are intact. We are so grateful to these players for getting us here again,” Scaloni told reporters on the eve of the showdown in Atlanta.Argentina, with an ageing side led by a 39-year-old Lionel Messi, have had to battle their way through the knockout rounds to get here.Twice they were pegged back before beating Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time. Then they needed a late comeback to defeat Egypt 3-2 in Atlanta, before requiring another draining half-an-hour of extra time to sink 10-man Switzerland 3-1 last Saturday.“A month and a half ago, I would have taken getting to the semifinal if you had offered me that, so I don’t mind how we got here,” said Scaloni, who coached the Albiceleste to glory in 2022.“I can’t reproach my players. Whether we are tired or not, I don’t care. This is a World Cup semifinal.”England and Argentina have clashed on five previous World Cup occasions, most notably the 1986 quarterfinal when Diego Maradona opened the scoring with the infamous “Hand of God” before his superb individual effort sealed victory.