For Argentina, the biggest question before the semifinal is not simply who starts. It is how Lionel Scaloni wants his midfield and right side to function in a match that carries a place in the final with it. That is where the tension lies between Rodrigo De Paul and Enzo Fernández, and why Montiel also matters in the wider shape of the team.
Hours before Argentina vs. Inglaterra, Scaloni made it clear the lineup will change and that he is still deciding between Enzo Fernández and Rodrigo De Paul. The setup points toward a five-man defense, which would give Argentina stability at the back while leaving one of the midfield roles open to interpretation. De Paul has been an important player for Argentina, but his current tournament performances have not been as strong as they were during Argentina's World Cup 2022 campaign.
Why the decision matters
This is not a choice between two identical profiles. De Paul is the more natural fit on the right side, which is part of the reason Scaloni may still lean toward him if he wants that balance in possession and in the first line of pressure. But Enzo Fernández offers a different kind of control, and Scaloni's uncertainty suggests Argentina are still searching for the cleanest way to connect midfield play without losing structure.
That matters because the opponent is not just another knockout test. The rivalry between Argentina and Inglaterra goes back more than 40 years, and this semifinal is being played with all the weight that history brings. In matches like this, small tactical choices often decide who can settle the game and who spends long stretches reacting to it.
What Scaloni is weighing
The key issue is whether Argentina want De Paul in the starting side or as a second-half option. If he starts, it likely comes because Scaloni values his work on the right and the familiar way he supports the team when Argentina are moving through phases rather than just chasing moments. If he does not, it may be because Scaloni wants a slightly different midfield balance to protect the team and improve circulation against a difficult opponent.
There is also a broader message in the lineup call. Argentina are not entering this as a team trying to reinvent itself. They are trying to find the best version of a system that can handle pressure, control transitions and still give Lionel Messi enough support to influence the game in the areas that matter most.
Even the mention of Montiel in the wider squad discussion fits that theme. Argentina are clearly considering how to manage personnel, roles and shape rather than forcing one fixed XI. The decision on De Paul versus Enzo Fernández is therefore less about one player winning a battle and more about Scaloni choosing the balance he trusts most for a semifinal that will not leave much room for correction.
In a match this important, the margins are rarely about raw talent alone. They are about fit, timing and whether the chosen structure can survive the moments that decide a World Cup path. Scaloni still has one of his biggest calls to make, and Argentina's road to the final may hinge on it.
