Ex-Spain star slams England ‘mentality’ and desires World Cup ultimate wasn’t towards Argentina
EXCLUSIVE: A Spain icon has slammed England’s mentality following their heartbreaking World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina and said he wishes the Three Lions made it to the final
England’s mentality against Argentina has been slammed(Image: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)
Spain icon Gaizka Mendieta has slammed England’s mentality and wishes the Three Lions made it to the World Cup final so the European champions would have a more favourable final.
Spain will face Argentina in the World Cup final on Sunday night after the reigning European champions defeated France in the semi-final the night before the Three Lions threw away a 1-0 lead against Argentina in the second semi-final to lose 2-1 following Thomas Tuchel’s shocking tactical mistake to drop deep after Anthony Gordon’s opening goal.
Luis de la Fuente’s side beat England in the Euro 2024 final and could have faced the Three Lions in a repeat of that clash, but instead they will play defending champions Argentina in a game between Europe and South America’s best.
England were beaten by a late Argentina comeback in the semi-final(Image: AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
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Speaking exclusively to the Daily Star Sport , via ignitiongaming.net, Mendieta said he wanted England to reach the final believing that Spain would have an easier game against the the Three Lions as he slammed the mentality to drop deep and attempt to defend the slender one-goal lead.
“I think England would be a perfect opponents for Spain to play. I think our style of play is better suited to playing England and then we could win the game. But unfortunately it’s not the case and we don’t see Kane and Bellingham face the Spanish side and a repeat of the Euro2024 final,” he said.
“When looking at England in the semi-final it seems the mentality was an issue and dropping back and defending the lead was the issue. You see how Spain play when they are ahead and it’s always to be in control, to play with the ball and express ourselves. Now we face Argentina.
Spain have been tipped to go all the way and win the World Cup(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
Gaizka Mendieta slammed England’s approach against Argentina
“This will be a different game to facing England. I think Argentina will adopt a similar approach to how they played in England and be physical and strong and to try to stop Spain playing. But with the ball Argentina are dangerous with Messi and Alvarez or Martinez.”
When asked if the Spanish players will be preparing differently to face Argentina then they would have if England had reached the final, Mendieta replied: “The basis of the preparation will be exactly the same.
“We prepare to keep the ball, we prepare to play attacking football and work for each other and create chances. We will keep the ball, we will look for good movement from our attacking players and look to get Rodri the ball to play forward and through the lines.
“For Olmo it’s linking the play with Yamal to be a big threat down the wing. We will though be prepared differently to face the type of game that Argentina will play against us.
“The physicality, the mentality of the Argentina’s will be different and with Messi, you have the best player who is very dangerous, so you can’t give him time and space.”
