Sergio Aguero highlights ‘crucial’ advantage Argentina have over England in World Cup semi-final

England players lack the ‘unity’ and ‘close-knit’ bond that is present witin Argentina’s squad – a factor that could prove ‘crucial’ in tonight’s World Cup semi-final showdown.

That’s according to Sergio Aguero, who believes the Three Lions could be prone to imploding and ‘arguing with each other’ the moment ‘conflict arises’ at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Argentina, the holders, have been forced to battle their way into the final four, surviving almighty scares against Cape Verde and Egypt, before edging past Switzerland in extra-time in the quarter-finals.

But in Lionel Messi, Argentina have arguably the greatest footballer to have ever played the game, with the 39-year-old firing on all cylinders, racking up eight goals and two assists, across the defending champions’ campaign.

England have also proven themselves an attacking force to be reckoned with, though, led by captain Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, who scored twice in the side’s dramatic quarter-final defeat of Norway previously.

The victor of this evening’s clash will face off against Spain, who swept past a lacklustre France to secure their spot in this year’s final.

‘What England lacks, which is perhaps what Argentina has, is that they aren’t usually a very united team,’ ex-Argentina and Manchester City striker Aguero told ESPN.

‘United in the sense that on the field everyone gets along well and connects.

‘But it’s due to the structure that England has, not because they don’t get along, but because each player, due to how they were raised or their customs, goes to training, plays, and maybe doesn’t talk to anyone – then they go home.

‘Argentina has all that in reverse.’

Aguero, who represented his country at three World Cups, believes the lack of ‘anger’ and ‘bad blood’ within Lionel Scalani’s squad will be key if they are to successfully defend their title this summer.

‘Argentine players are very close-knit, very friendly, and we remain friends on the pitch,’ he added.

‘That ends up being crucial for winning, because there’s no anger or bad blood within the group.

‘Perhaps in England, when things aren’t going well, you can see them start arguing with each other and conflict arises. That’s where we’re strongest, in the group.’

Speaking shortly after England’s quarter-final victory over Norway, Thomas Tuchel admitted his side had got ‘lucky’ and ‘made life difficult for themselves’ with their all-round showing in Miami – an assessment which upset Bellingham.

But facing the media on the eve of the semi-final, the German insisted there had been a noticeable ‘switch of energy’ within the camp.

‘We want to take the next step,’ the former Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich boss explained.

‘I like the switch of energy in our camp. I feel the players are very excited. I feel they’re very ambitious for this semi-final.

‘No one is satisfied and that’s exactly the right mixture to have the performance that we need for tomorrow.’

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