By Lori Ewing
KANSAS CITY, Missouri, July 12 (Reuters) - England's reward for another display of resilience at the World Cup is a semi-final against old rivals Argentina, a fixture laden with history and one that offers Thomas Tuchel's side the chance to move within one game of ending a 60-year wait.
A day after overcoming Norway 2-1 in extra time to reach the last four, England found themselves preparing for a meeting with the reigning champions, adding another chapter to one of the World Cup's most
enduring rivalries.
England have reached the semi-finals for the second time in the last three tournaments, having fallen to Croatia in extra time at Russia 2018. Their only appearance in a World Cup final came in 1966, when they lifted the trophy on home soil.
Tuchel's side have forged their run through a blend of star quality and sheer determination, twice coming from behind in the knockout phase to keep their tournament alive. The coach believes this has become a defining trait of his team.
"They just refuse to give in. They just refuse to accept a defeat," Tuchel said. "They overcome setbacks. They put a shift in. There is not one 1% complaint about that."
Yet Tuchel tempered the celebrations with a warning that England have room for improvement.
"To overcome adversity and find ways to win is on the absolutely highest level," he said. "We found a way, we're in the last four, which is the most important thing. But I still think we can and have to play better football."
England's progress has been driven largely by the partnership of captain Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham. The two have each scored six of England's 13 goals at the tournament — the first pair of teammates to net that many goals at a World Cup. Bellingham heads to Atlanta in ominous form after scoring four goals in his last two matches.
"World-class performance from a world-class player in big, big moments," Tuchel said. "Absolute top class."
England forward Noni Madueke suggested such displays have become routine for the Real Madrid man.
"It's unbelievable what he's doing," Madueke said. "It's very normal though for him."
The squad were pushed to their limits by Norway, with players suffering cramp and illness in searing conditions. Tuchel revealed that midfielder Declan Rice, who did not play the second half on Saturday, had spent most of the previous three days in bed ill. Madueke said results were all that mattered, however.
"Listen, if we play like this and win the next two games, I don't mind. I'm not bothered," he said.
History provides ample evidence of the challenge ahead. The teams have met five times previously at World Cups: England beat Argentina in 1962 and 1966 before Diego Maradona's infamous "Hand of God" goal and brilliant solo effort inspired Argentina's victory at Mexico 1986. Argentina edged a last-16 tie on penalties in 1998 — remembered for Michael Owen's wonder goal and David Beckham's red card — before Beckham gained revenge by scoring the winner in England's 1-0 group-stage triumph in 2002 in Japan.
England's most recent major tournament semi-final ended more happily, with Ollie Watkins' late winner securing a 2-1 victory over the Netherlands at Euro 2024 to send England into the final. Now they face another formidable test against Lionel Scaloni's world champions, with a place in the 2026 final at stake.
Tuchel admitted the emotional demands of tournament football are unlike anything he has experienced as a club manager, but said there was nowhere else he would rather be.
"I feel very alive in these moments," he said. "This is where I want to be. I don't want to be anywhere else in the world."
England, carried by the brilliance of Kane and Bellingham and a growing belief they can survive anything, will hope that feeling lasts at least one game longer.
(Reporting by Lori Ewing; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
