Many players from the Argentina national team play or have played in the Premier League. Some of them will be asked to put into practice on the field what they’ve learned in the world’s most competitive domestic division in Wednesday’s blockbuster semi-final.
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There is nothing about Wednesday’s match that recalls 40 years ago, when the geopolitical and football context was completely different. The clash between England and Argentina, which will take place in Atlanta, is not only not being played at the legendary Azteca, where Diego Armando Maradona became a legend, but also features two national teams with completely opposite histories and trophy cabinets.
In 1986, both had won a World Cup each, while today the Albiceleste boasts three and the Three Lions are still stuck on their sole home triumph 60 years ago.
However, there is a very strong bond that connects several players to England’s Premier League, the most prestigious on the planet. At the moment, there are six players in Lionel Scaloni’s squad who play in the Premier League, while more have played there in the past.
This is not surprising, given the central role of the league in world football, but it gives an idea of how several members of Argentina have taken advantage of their experience in England to now challenge those who once gave them a breakout opportunity.
Therapy and records
The most striking case is that of Emiliano Martinez, who in recent years has guarded the net for Aston Villa, with whom he won the most recent Europa League. The goalkeeper will face several of his club teammates. Chief among them is Ezri Konsa, a central defender who is an ever-present for Tomas Tuchel, while Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins will likely start on the bench.
For the South American shot-stopper, it will undoubtedly be an emotional encounter, since his career took a decisive turn right on British soil.
He will be the biggest insider for the South American team, since, apart from a brief spell at Getafe, he has hardly ever left the British Isles since 2010, when he was picked up by Arsenal. Over time, the Mar del Plata native found his place in the city of Birmingham, where with the Villans he became an absolute leader in the dressing room. His determination allowed him to build a mentally rock-solid character, also thanks to his much-publicised use of psychotherapy to overcome difficult moments.
The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper in 2022 and 2024, ‘Dibu’ will defend Argentina’s goal for the 13th time in a World Cup, thus matching the legendary goalkeeper Ubaldo Fillol, winner of the 1978 tournament. Still yet to make one of the saves at this tournament like those that made him famous, he will have to prove himself as the undisputed leader of the defence against Harry Kane, with whom he has often battled in the Premier League.
Balance and goals
Crucial for Scaloni, Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez are undisputed starters for Liverpool and Chelsea, respectively. They broke out at the World Cup in Qatar, where, coming off the bench, they became key players in securing the third star.
Today, they are recognised as leaders in Argentina’s midfield. Especially the former, who scored the first goal against Switzerland, has taken on the role of attacking from between the lines. It’s something special, considering Mac Allister’s lack of height, but it confirms his tactical intelligence in making offensive runs. While the latter is one of the team’s stabilisers.
Before the match, the words of Mac Allister’s mother, Silvina Riela, made people think: “I totally agree with what Scaloni said. It’s just a football match. My granddaughter was born in England. So, when everyone sings, ‘whoever doesn’t jump is English,’ I stay still with her.”
In attack, Julian Alvarez is expected to start and face his former teammate John Stones, with whom he grew up at Manchester City. Tasked with supporting Lionel Messi in the best possible way, La Araña made his European football debut directly at the Etihad Stadium, where Pep Guardiola strongly wanted him but never allowed him to be a regular starter ahead of Erling Haaland.
An atypical striker capable of linking up play, he will be tasked with breaking through a British defence that is far from impenetrable. After all, even though he now plays for Atletico Madrid, his entire European football education was in England.
Ruthless defenders
In front of Dibu will be Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez, who play for Tottenham and Manchester United, respectively. Having arrived in the Premier League from Serie A and the Eredivisie, the two form the partnership that ensures efficiency in tough moments. While it’s true that in recent matches they’ve hesitated on several occasions, partly due to a lack of midfield cover, they’ve still made their contributions.
Not only for their passing ability and skill in marking, but the two have also been responsible for lethal runs into the opposition box. ‘Cuti’ Romero forced the decisive own goal by Cape Verde in the round of 16, and also started the comeback against Egypt in the last 16. He will face his former teammate Kane, with whom he shared the dressing room at Spurs.
‘Licha’, on the other hand, provided an assist and scored against the islanders and made a heroic block on a Swiss striker. Alongside them, albeit on the bench, is Marcos Senesi, who earned his World Cup spot thanks to his performances at Bournemouth, and the honour of facing, even if from the bench, his English “friends.”
