Messi admits Argentina's 'England match is special'

Lionel Messi said Argentina's upcoming World Cup semi-final against England will be "a special match" after the reigning champions booked their place in the last four.

"I've played against everyone except England and it's special because they're a great team, a footballing powerhouse, and it's always nice to play against a side like that, especially in a World Cup semi-final," Messi said after Argentina's 3-1 victory over Switzerland in Saturday's quarter-final.

The match, to be played in Atlanta on Wednesday, comes 40 years after the other great Argentine icon, Diego Maradona, inspired a famous victory over England at the World Cup in Mexico, with the wounds of Argentina's defeat to the United Kingdom in the South Atlantic War four years earlier still fresh at the time.

"Now we'll rest and prepare for that. We've put in a huge physical effort, playing another extra-time match, and at times it shows," Messi said after another hard-fought victory, secured after extra time in Kansas City.

A stunning goal from Julián Álvarez in the 112th minute broke the 1-1 deadlock after extra time had begun and sealed Argentina's place in the World Cup semi-finals for the third time in the last four editions.

"This group never gets tired of making history, of always wanting more," said Messi, the captain of the reigning world champions.

"This group has got people used to things that aren't normal. It's not easy to come from being world champions, to have won everything we've won, and then keep competing, keep performing at the same level and be among the four best teams again," Messi said.

"Reaching another World Cup semi-final isn't something normal, so we have to enjoy it because we don't know if it will happen again," he added. "We went a long time without being world champions, so everything that comes now should be enjoyed and appreciated."

– TIMES/AFP