​Thomas Tuchel and Lionel Scaloni made their mutual admiration abundantly clear ahead of their nations’ monumental showdown.England’s semifinal against Argentina at the FIFA World Cup in Atlanta Stadium got off to a feisty start, with both sides trading fouls and engaging in an intensely physical battle, reflecting the deeply complicated relationship between the two countries.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDespite the storied rivalry between the two nations — with both national anthems being drowned out by the crowd as a show of disrespect — it was evident that the animosity did not extend to the two head coaches, as they prepared for one of the most significant matches of their careers, as per The Mirror US.Who is the referee for the Spain vs France FIFA World Cup semifinal?-Credit:JUAN MABROMATA, AFP via Getty ImagesPrior to kickoff, cameras caught both Tuchel and Scaloni taking a moment to seek each other out before retreating to their respective benches. Spotting Scaloni, Tuchel broke into a broad grin and pulled the Argentine coach into a warm embrace, which was enthusiastically reciprocated.The pair then exchanged a few words, smiles spread across their faces, as they walked together with Tuchel draping his arm around his counterpart’s shoulder. Scaloni rested his hand on Tuchel’s midsection as the two continued their conversation ahead of the enormous contest.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFor England and Argentina, their mutual animosity has been well-documented over decades. In 1966, the year England lifted the World Cup, Argentine captain Antonio Rattin was dismissed and refused to leave the field, later sitting on a red carpet reserved for the Queen.Some 16 years later, the Falklands War saw England and Argentina clash with weapons. Four years on, Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal eliminated England from that year’s tournament, with the Argentinians knocking out the David Beckham-led England squad 12 years after that.Speaking ahead of the game, Tuchel stated that the history between the two nations is “irrelevant” and acknowledged that the squad is solely focused on what they can control and doesn’t “speak about iconic moments.”To listen to the latest episode of ‘All Out Soccer’ – CLICK HEREAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement”It’s, in itself, iconic enough and the tension is big enough so we try exactly the opposite and try to influence the players and what we want them to do, how to behave in different situations,” he told reporters in English. “We try to reduce the information.”The bigger the stage gets, the bigger the tension grows so hopefully we can simplify the messages enough that they can execute it. We try exactly what is maybe not possible but the magnitude of the match is just what it is. I think it does not help if we engage emotionally in that.”Scaloni similarly emphasized that the game is precisely that – a showdown between two of the strongest remaining sides in the World Cup.”The coach never thi