We shouldn't confuse politics and football - Scaloni

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has appealed for the World Cup semi-final against England to be treated as a football match rather than a diplomatic incident, arguing that the historical and political dimensions of the rivalry should not be allowed to overshadow the sporting contest.

"We shouldn't confuse politics and football," Scaloni said at his pre-match press conference. "I understand the history between our countries, and I respect it. But the players on the pitch tomorrow night were not born when most of those things happened. They are footballers, not politicians. They should be judged on what they do with the ball, not on what happened before they were alive."

The appeal is unlikely to succeed. The match has been framed by both British and Argentine media as the latest chapter in a rivalry that encompasses the Falklands War, the Hand of God, David Beckham's red card and a cultural antipathy that has been passed down through generations. The MetLife Stadium will be filled with supporters who regard the match as about more than football, and the players, whatever they say in public, will be aware of the weight of expectation.

Scaloni's intervention is characteristic of his approach to tournament football. He has consistently sought to protect his players from external pressure, to focus on the controllable, and to project an image of calm competence that his team has reflected on the pitch. Argentina have been the most composed side in the tournament, and that composure has been a significant factor in their progress to the semi-finals.

Whether composure will survive the intensity of a World Cup semi-final against England is another question. Scaloni acknowledged that the occasion would be unlike any other match his players had experienced. "But the pitch is the same size," he said. "The ball is the same shape. And the objective is the same: to win. That is what we will focus on."