The World Cup’s first finalist has been confirmed (Image: Getty)
All the latest World Cup news ahead of England’s semi-final showdown with Argentina
- Weather concerns: Luckily for both England and Argentina, Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium is one of three venues that has air-conditioning in its interior. However, as things stand, bad storms are forecast leading up to kick-off and could delay both sides’ attempts to get to the ground.
- Declan Rice update: Declan Rice has been struggling with an injury and illness, but he is fit to start tonight’s game. Asked if the midfielder is completely back to normal now, Tuchel said: “Well, yeah, he’s ready to start and (he is) as good recovered as possible.”
- Mind games: Marc Guehi believes all the pressure is on Argentina. He said: “There isn’t pressure on us. What’s the pressure? The onus is on them. They’re the World Champions. They need to come out, they need to defend their title. There’s no pressure on us at all.”
- More mind games: Ezri Konsa has also claimed that England have not watched any of Argentina’s games. He revealed: “We haven’t managed to watch any of their games. I’m sure, when we have the meeting tonight or tomorrow, we’ll see some clips of them and see what we can do to overcome them. I’m sure they’ve got a great mindset, great mentality, and so do we.”
- Calming things down: Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has tried to ease potential tensions amid concerns fans between the two teams could clash given the history between the nations. Speaking on the eve of the game, he said: “It’s a football match; I can’t mix things up, out of respect for what happened so many years ago.”
- Breaking the rules: FIFA’s half-time show will see them break their own rules. The show is expected to be about 30 minutes long, which will breach the maximum time of 15 minutes permitted under the Laws of the Game.
- All-star cast: Robbie Williams, Tom Cruise and Nicole Scherzinger are set to perform in the Closing Ceremony. Then Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, BTS, Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel and the PS22 Chorus featuring Coldplay are all due to perform during the interval.
- And another rule break: FIFA will break another of its own rules at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta tonight. That is because the governing body has been powerless in its bid to cover the giant Mercedes logo that sits on top of the Mercedes-Benz stadium roof.
- France fuming: Didier Deschamps was not happy after France’s defeat to Spain and he questioned FIFA’s decision to appoint referee Ivan Barton. He said: “Then I ask a question, and I’m not going to answer it: ‘Is the referee good enough to officiate a World Cup semi-final?’”
- More Barton fume: Spain captain Rodri also took issue with the way Barton failed to protect Lamine Yamal. He said: “We’re talking about 10 or 15 fouls where the kid [Lamine Yamal] goes to the ground. If the referees do not call them, then the defence will keep doing the same thing.”
- Mbappe anger: Kylian Mbappe appeared to aim his anger at Didier Deschamps. Taking aim at his side’s tactics, he said: “We were three against two in midfield and against Spain, that’s hard. Fabian [Ruiz] and Rodri had plenty of time to play. There was a lack of communication on the press. I think we should have done man-to-man press and force them to run with us.”
- Patrick Vieira apology: ITV presenter Mark Pougatch apologised to Patrick Vieira following France’s World Cup defeat to Spain. He said: “Sorry, Patrick, it has been great to have you with us for the World Cup. Since you are not here this weekend, it has been great to have you with us, so thanks very much for your contributions.”