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England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford said his side is well aware of Lionel Messi's quality but stressed that the team's focus must extend beyond the Argentina captain ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal clash.
Speaking to reporters before the second semifinal against the defending champions, Pickford acknowledged Messi's remarkable career while highlighting Argentina's overall strength. "I think he's (Messi) scored so many goals and contributed to so many goals as well over his career. And it's great to finally come up against him after watching him as a kid," Pickford said in a video shared by Sky Sports on X. "We all know how good Messi is, but we also know how good Argentina is, so we can't just solely rely on Messi. We've got to focus on the other strengths as well and the other weaknesses we can take advantage of," he added. The England goalkeeper said the Three Lions are concentrating on their own performance as they seek a place in the World Cup final. "I think it's solely focusing on us as England now, and us being at our best to beat another top nation. It's us against them to get a place in the final," Pickford said in a video shared by Sky Sports on X. Describing the knockout contest as one that could be decided in regulation time, extra time or penalties, he said England were prepared for every possible scenario. "It's a game of football, 90 minutes, 120, penalties, we're ready for anything. It's us against them at the end of the day, and it's about who comes out on top, and we're fully prepared for that," Pickford added. Argentina head into the semi-final after surviving another dramatic knockout battle, defeating Switzerland 3-1 after extra time. Messi provided the assist for Alexis Mac Allister's opening goal from a corner before Julian Alvarez's stunning strike and Lautaro Martinez's late finish sealed victory. (ANI)
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