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De Paul Benched: Argentina's Tactical Gamble vs. England
15 Jul
Summary
- Rodrigo De Paul is not starting for Argentina's semifinal match.
- Coach Scaloni benched De Paul for tactical reasons, not injury.
- Giuliano Simeone joins the midfield for Argentina's crucial game.
Argentina's starting eleven for their World Cup semifinal against England sees a notable omission: Rodrigo De Paul. The influential midfielder, who has featured in five of Argentina's previous six matches in the 2026 World Cup, has been dropped from the starting lineup for this critical fixture.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni has opted for a tactical reshuffle, bringing Giuliano Simeone into the midfield alongside Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, and Leandro Paredes. This move is a strategic decision, as De Paul is not dealing with any injury and remains available for selection. He was substituted in the 85th minute of the quarterfinal against Switzerland. It is anticipated that De Paul may feature later in the match or if the game requires extra time, providing depth and experience off the bench.
This is not the first time De Paul has not started; he was also benched for the group stage match against Jordan. Argentina, the reigning World champions, are aiming to reach consecutive World Cup finals.
