Shearer backs England to beat Argentina in semi-final
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- Alan Shearer said the pain of Argentina eliminating England at France '98 still lingers 28 years later, recalling being captain in a last-16 penalty shootout loss that featured David Beckham's red card, Michael Owen's stunning goal, and Sol Campbell having a goal disallowed.
- England face Argentina in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday July 15 at 20:00 BST in Atlanta, with a place in the final at stake against the defending champions and a rivalry that includes Argentina's quarter-final wins in 1986 and 1998.
- Shearer said he would not be surprised by another red card and flagged concerns about refereeing and VAR, specifically calling 'astonishing' the decision that ruled out Egypt's goal against Argentina in the last 16 for a foul at the other end of the pitch.
- Lionel Messi will face England for the first time at a World Cup, and Shearer noted 'everything Argentina do goes through him,' comparing his tournament impact to Jude Bellingham's — both players have collected four Superior Player of the Match awards.
- Shearer backed England to reach the final, praising Harry Kane as 'brilliant' and Bellingham for having 'the tournament of his life,' and will co-commentate the match alongside Guy Mowbray for BBC.
Why it matters: England's semi-final carries the weight of a 28-year rivalry and the legacy of two controversial defeats, and Shearer's framing — emotional backing for the current squad paired with pointed warnings about refereeing and VAR decisions that have 'gone Argentina's way' — signals that discipline and officiating could matter as much as talent in determining who reaches the final.
