Argentina Bertemu Inggris pada Semifinal Piala Dunia 2026 di Atlanta

Tim nasional Argentina akan bertanding melawan tim nasional Inggris pada laga semifinal Piala Dunia 2026 yang berlangsung di Atlanta pada Rabu, 15 Juli 2026. Laga ini menjadi kesempatan bagi Argentina untuk menembus partai final ketiga dalam empat edisi terakhir.

Argentina mencatatkan rata-rata 2,8 gol per pertandingan sepanjang turnamen, sementara Inggris membukukan rata-rata 2,2 gol. Skuad asuhan Thomas Tuchel berupaya melaju ke final Piala Dunia kedua mereka sepanjang sejarah.

Pertandingan ini juga menjadi momen pertama Lionel Messi berhadapan dengan Inggris di tingkat internasional sepanjang karier seniornya. Penyerang berusia 39 tahun tersebut telah mencetak delapan gol di putaran final kali ini.

Gelandang Argentina Rodrigo de Paul menegaskan motivasi tinggi timnya menjelang laga krusial menghadapi Inggris.

"Seeing him enjoying himself makes me really happy, considering everything he’s been through with this jersey and everything he’s had to fight for," kata Rodrigo de Paul, Pemain Timnas Argentina.

De Paul menyebutkan bahwa kondisi mental Messi sangat positif selama mengarungi kompetisi tahun ini.

"I think this World Cup has found him truly enjoying himself," ujar Rodrigo de Paul, Pemain Timnas Argentina.

Pemain berusia 32 tahun tersebut menambahkan bahwa fokus seluruh anggota tim tetap terjaga meski harus menghadapi kekuatan besar Eropa.

"Of course, we all know his mentality, how he prepares, and how he approaches every game. But I see him happy and enjoying it, and as a friend, that makes me very happy," kata Rodrigo de Paul, Pemain Timnas Argentina.

Ia menekankan bahwa kesempatan melangkah ke final merupakan dorongan terbesar bagi skuad Albiceleste.

"We have plenty of concerns, of course, because we’re facing a great team. They have many top-class players, and I think they have a great coach as well," ujar Rodrigo de Paul, Pemain Timnas Argentina.

Kewaspadaan tinggi diterapkan untuk mengantisipasi setiap keunggulan yang dimiliki lawan.

"Those concerns simply keep us focused. We spend our time making sure they’re under control," kata Rodrigo de Paul, Pemain Timnas Argentina.

Hasrat untuk mengulang kesuksesan edisi sebelumnya di Qatar terus menggelora di dalam tim.

"Being just one step away from playing in another World Cup final… there’s no greater motivation than that," ujar Rodrigo de Paul, Pemain Timnas Argentina.

Setiap pertandingan di fase gugur dinilai memiliki bobot dan tekanan yang setara dengan partai final.

"Everyone loves playing in a World Cup. Every match is a final; that’s always how we’ve approached it. We’re facing a team we’ve never played before, a powerhouse that has done very well in this World Cup, just like the other four teams still here. It’s going to be a great match," kata Rodrigo de Paul, Pemain Timnas Argentina.

Adrenalin dan kegembiraan menyelimuti persiapan tim menjelang kick-off di Atlanta.

"I’m very happy and full of adrenaline. Personally, I really enjoy these kinds of matches. I’m trying to fully experience the moment without letting emotions overwhelm us. So we’re putting a lot of thought into preparing for tomorrow’s game, especially staying calm and level-headed," ujar Rodrigo de Paul, Pemain Timnas Argentina.

Bertahan di puncak sepak bola dunia diakui sebagai tantangan terberat bagi sang juara bertahan.

"We have done it in the Copa America, but I believe it’s always much harder to win again after you’ve already won. To stay at the top for so many years isn’t easy, and we’ve managed to do that. I’m very proud of my teammates," kata Rodrigo de Paul, Pemain Timnas Argentina.

De Paul menutup dengan mengingatkan pentingnya konsentrasi penuh pada detail-detail kecil selama laga.

"Yes, in the end, a World Cup and tournaments of this magnitude are decided by small details," ujar Rodrigo de Paul, Pemain Timnas Argentina.

Di sisi lain, analisis mengenai performa lini serang kedua tim juga disorot oleh pengamat sepak bola Jon Eimer.

"(England) also have to take advantage of Argentina's poor defensive record in this competition," kata Jon Eimer, Pengamat Sepak Bola SportsLine.

Eimer menilai pertahanan lawan menjadi celah yang dapat dimanfaatkan oleh lini depan Inggris.

"Stopping Messi is almost impossible, so they'll have to rely on their own strong attack," ujar Jon Eimer, Pengamat Sepak Bola SportsLine.

Kapten Argentina Lionel Messi turut menyuarakan pandangannya mengenai pertemuan perdana melawan Tiga Singa.

"Obviously, playing against England is special because they are a powerhouse, and matches against powerhouses are always special," kata Lionel Messi, Kapten Timnas Argentina.

Messi menganggap laga ini sebagai pengalaman baru yang dinantikan dalam karier internasionalnya.

"Personally, it's the first time I'm going to play against them. I've played against everyone except England, so it will be nice for that reason too," ujar Lionel Messi, Kapten Timnas Argentina.

Pemenang dalam laga di Atlanta ini akan melenggang ke partai puncak Piala Dunia 2026 yang dijadwalkan berlangsung di New York.