Pickford: England will remain calm today

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford believes his national team can maintain its composure in the tense atmosphere of the World Cup semi-final in North America against Argentina on Wednesday in Atlanta.

The rivalry between the two sides is one of the most heated in world football, fueled by incidents both on and off the pitch.

Pickford said England has largely managed to avoid confrontations during the current tournament and is well-equipped to handle the pressure.

“I think you’ve seen throughout the tournament our desire to win physical duels. We haven’t been involved in any scuffles or anything like that,” he said.

He added, “That’s what we’ve done throughout the tournament. Apart from Jarrell (Quansah was sent off against Mexico in the quarter-finals), we haven’t received any dismissals, second yellow cards, or similar incidents.”

He said, “Everyone will talk about Messi because he is one of the greatest players to ever play the game.”

“But you can’t ignore the abilities and talents we have in the England squad, both offensively and defensively, as well as our team spirit. We have everything we need, and that’s what we need to show today.”

The most iconic encounter between the two teams was Argentina’s 2-1 victory in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, which featured two goals by Diego Maradona—one famously known as the “Hand of God” and the other a stunning individual effort widely regarded as one of the greatest goals in history.

However, this historical legacy holds little significance for Pickford, as England seeks its first major trophy since 1966.

He said, “It’s a match between us and them for a place in the final. It’s a football match. 90 minutes, 120 minutes, or penalties.”