The defeat to Argentina in 1998 was incredibly tough for Beckham
There is a great rivalry between England and Argentina. There's no doubt about that. You can see it in performances; you can see it in whatever happens after the game. And yeah, that defeat hurt in 1998. I remember standing at our bus and Argentina were waiting to get on their bus and they were right next to us and they were dancing and celebrating and that hurt as well. And yeah, it hurt the way we went out because we thought we'd won it in terms of the goal we scored in golden goal, which was disallowed. And then it goes to penalties and then you're in the lap of the gods, aren't you? So, there's definitely a big rivalry and you can feel it out on the pitch without a doubt, and you'll see it on Wednesday.
You know what? It wouldn't surprise me at all on Wednesday if there's a red card.
It was unbelievably tough for Beckham (who was sent off in 1998). And then you watch his documentary and see what he had to go through. I knew that at the time, but then it brings it all back when you watch his documentary and the feeling towards him obviously was so hard. But yeah, I was captain then, it was tough. I didn't agree with the decision, but I knew if you give them any opportunity, Argentina will do that. And I get that has to be a huge point on Wednesday that if there is anything like that, then they will get you punished, you know? We have to be very, very wary of that. But there were some big, huge things to come out of the match. I mean, the Michael Owen goal was incredible. Obviously, the red card, they scored a brilliant free kick. That hurt us as well. So, the golden goal as well. And then it goes to penalties. So, there's so much to talk about. And I have a feeling that Wednesday could be similar.
It was good to be part of it beforehand, but not after when you're hurting and the pain is tough, you know. There's a lot at stake. The guys have worked unbelievably hard to get to this point, as have Argentina. But I do think they're beatable. I do think if you can quiet Messi down, then you've got an incredible chance of going through to a World Cup final.
England can definitely make the final without a doubt. It's because I do think Argentina concede goals and we will score. So, I'm going to go for an amazing game with England to win 3-2. Bellingham and Kane to get our goals. They are our big hitters.
England need to step up from Saturday's game
England can't make as many errors as they did against Norway on Wednesday, they can't make as many mistakes, and they will have to play better than they did against Norway. You've got to give Norway great credit because I thought they were very good, particularly Ødegaard. But again, you're going to have to step up and they've managed to play every game differently but not played brilliantly in all games. I think it was always going to be difficult to replicate the energy and the performance that they had in Mexico.
When they were under the cosh and when they were suffering in the second half, they stood together, you know, they stuck with each other and that has to be a great sign in terms of the togetherness and just how many times over the years have we said, even last year with Arsenal coming towards the end of the season, they just have to find a way to win a game. And England were like that the other night in the quarterfinal of the World Cup. They just had to win that, find a way to win that game. That's the impressive thing that come out of Saturday.
It was noticeable on Saturday that they looked tired late on in the game. Norway definitely had looked brighter than us and had sharper legs if you like. But I'm hopeful that after a few days' rest, without too much work, then they're ready to go again. But yeah, there were one or two signs that they looked tired, and they gave a couple of chances away. I mean, if Sorloth puts that ball through to Haaland and it goes to 2-0. There might not be a way back. But he didn't and it was very good defending from John Stones. Yeah, I guess if we played like that in the second half, then we might get punished.
I am concerned about referee and VAR decisions
I'm slightly concerned that a refereeing decision or VAR could cost us against Argentina because I think the narrative from the referees and the VAR from the start of the tournament to now has changed massively. I did that France game when Mbappé was fouled and the ref went to the screen, was told to go to the screen and he stuck with his decision when I thought it was a clear penalty. And that has totally changed over the last 10 days, two weeks, the longer the tournament's gone on. And I have been amazed at some of the decisions that Argentina have had, particularly that one against Egypt where their Egyptian goal was pulled back and cancelled out. I thought that was nonsense. It is a bit of a concern, when playing them.
It's not as simple as just stopping Messi when playing Argentina
I don't think you can say anyone's lucky to get to a semi-final. I think what we can't underestimate is their power and their will to get to where they are. I think that's the impressive thing. They're the reigning champions and they're in the semi-final for a reason. But I do feel you can get at them and if you do, you can score goals. Obviously, the big question is if you stop Messi, you've got a massive chance of stopping Argentina.
I was amazed actually to hear that Lionel Messi's never played against England, which was incredible. You can see how long he's been around and where he's played at, to be honest. I mean, considering the number of caps and how long he's been playing.
It's not as simple that if you just stop Messi then you win the game because when you look at Álvarez, the goal that he scored the other day in the quarter-final against Switzerland, they've got Fernandes and McAllister as well, they've got some really talented players so it's not as simple as that. But if you do stop him, it does often increase your chances of beating them.
Messi doesn't do a lot of running and clearly, he's incredibly clever at picking the space and when to go and when to stop. And he's got other players that do his running now, but he's a huge danger when he gets the ball.
Saka has to start over Madueke if he is fit
I was surprised Saka didn't start against Norway, but quite clearly, he can't be 100% fit. Because if he was, then he'd be starting. Madueke didn't offer enough for us in that first half, and I wasn't surprised when the manager took him off and brought Saka on. So, if Saka's fit, and we don't know that, if he's fit, my guess is he will start.
Pickford could have done better with the goal. He'd probably tell you he was disappointed that it went in from that angle. But yeah, he was amazing against Mexico in the Azteca. He looked calm, made two or three really, really good saves. But yeah, I thought he was edgy again against Norway.
My team to play against Argentina would be Pickford, James, Stones, Guehi, O'Reilly, Rice, Anderson, Bellingham, Saka, Kane, Gordon. He could probably go Gordon again on the left, but there's also an option that he may start Rogers on the right if he feels Saka's not fit enough and Madueke won't offer enough. He could go with Gordon, Bellingham, and Rogers. And that's another option that he's got in there. Rashford didn't come on, did he, the other day? I think, yeah, there's also an option he may start as well.
Spence was outstanding against Norway, but I don't think he'll start
What I would say is that I thought Spence was absolutely outstanding when he came on driving the team forward. I think he's a much better left back, he looks far more comfortable in the left back position than he does in the right back position, which seems odd when he's right footed. But the way he was driving forward, his defensive capabilities were brilliant when he came on.
But and I think it's a big but, my guess is that he won't start. I think he'll go with O'Reilly again at left back and he'll keep Spence ready to come on again if he must. And I think that's been one of the big things with Tuchel is that although we have looked defensively uncomfortable at times, maybe one of the reasons is because he does like the changes. I mean, Reece James came into midfield, Spence went to left back, went to right back, Burn comes on. Maybe that's why we've at times looked edgy defensively, but I have to say, Spence was amazing when he came on, as was Dan Burn again.
I can't remember speaking so much about right back and left back positions in tournaments, you know, but up to now, the manager's decisions have worked and I know we've had injuries, I know we've got suspensions, but he's been able to juggle loads around and we've not suffered as of yet.
Tuchel and Bellingham have a great relationship
I don't think it's anything to worry about at all. In fact, I think it's the other way. I think it's pretty healthy for a player and a manager to have different opinions. You don't have to go along with each other all the time. That's the beauty of it I think. I didn't have an issue at all with what Thomas Tuchel was saying. I liked it and I get it and I understand it. It's about trying to get a message over to your players. It's about sending a message out to the fans. Players and managers are allowed to have different opinions. It doesn't mean you're not going to get on. They'll have a great relationship. It's just that they have different opinions, and I don't see a problem with that at all.
Bellingham will go on to be an England great
Bellingham is having the tournament of his life. Six games we've had. I think he's probably got four man of the matches, maybe even five. Which tells you how brilliant he's been. And I think Thomas Tuchel sort of managed that superbly because if you remember, in the friendlies, he left him out leading up to the months ahead of the tournament, you know? And I think that was tough love and I think it's worked. He's handled the situation perfectly. He's getting the results out of him.
I think it's very hard to argue against that he has been the player of the tournament so far. People will say about Messi, some will say about Mbappé. But I think if you're English, there's a massive argument to say that Bellingham has up to now been the player of the tournament. He's been a standout player. When England have needed him, he's jumped to the front, you know, and he's produced. And he's having an incredible tournament.
I think his performances have shone, haven't they? He's been incredible. He's having the tournament of his dreams, and I think that will only grow and enhance in terms of every two years when he's playing in major tournaments. Then without doubt, I think he can go on and be an England great, there's no doubt about it.
It's amazing we have had two players in Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham that have been outstanding throughout the tournament. It's absolutely brilliant.
Alan Shearer's World Cup Semi-Final Predictions
Click here for France v Spain odds
Tuesday, 20:00
Live on ITV1
I am going France to win 2-1. I'm going to stick with France because of how impressive they are in forward positions. As good as Spain are and how they manage the ball and keep the ball, it'll be a very, very tough game, but I fancy France (just) to get through.
Prediction - France win
Click here for England v Argentina odds
Wednesday, 20:00
Live on BBC1
England can definitely make the final without a doubt. It's because I do think Argentina concede goals and we will score. So, I'm going to go for an amazing game with England 3-2 to win. Bellingham and Kane to get our goals. They are our big hitters.