# ‘Afraid of nothing’: how Argentina’s players drew on childhood inspiration to reach the final

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/afraid-of-nothing-how-argentinas-players-drew-on-childhood-inspiration-to-reach-the-final/
- Published: 2026-07-19T10:04:33+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-19T10:12:20+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/19/afraid-of-nothing-argentina-players-childhood-world-cup-final
- Topics: Art, Culture, Football, Sport

## Key points

- Argentina beat England to reach the World Cup final.
- Lautaro Martínez's semi-final goal prompted an emotional, tearful interview.
- Scaloni praises squad's fearless, childlike playing style under pressure.

## Summary

Argentina have reached the World Cup final after beating England in the semi-final, with manager Lionel Scaloni crediting his squad's fearless, childlike approach to the game for their success. Striker Lautaro Martínez, who scored the decisive goal, broke down in tears afterwards, speaking movingly about his family's sacrifices rather than the achievement itself, while Scaloni described a group of players who grew up unafraid of pressure and who still play with the freedom of children rather than the weight of expectation.

Scaloni said he had briefly worried after England pulled a goal back but never lost faith in a squad he calls wild, unruly and spontaneous "fighters". The piece also reflects more broadly on Argentine identity, noting the country's history of resisting British incursions in the 19th century, its diverse population shaped by migration from Europe and elsewhere since independence in 1810 and 1825, and how this complexity sits awkwardly with simplistic outside characterisations of the nation. Argentina now face Spain in the final.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.