Shearer: England can beat Argentina this time
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- Alan Shearer recalls the emotional toll of England's 1998 World Cup penalty shootout loss to Argentina, still feeling the pain 28 years later and remembering the image of Argentine players celebrating beside the defeated English squad.
- England prepares to face Argentina in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday in Atlanta, a rematch of the 1998 clash, with Shearer believing this team has a real chance to reach the final and avoid repeating past heartbreak.
- Shearer warns that the high tension of England-Argentina matches could lead to another red card, citing David Beckham’s dismissal in 1998 and expressing concern over current refereeing standards and VAR decisions, including a controversial call in Argentina’s win over Egypt.
- Lionel Messi has not previously faced England in a World Cup, but will be central to the upcoming semi-final, with Shearer noting that Argentina’s play revolves around him and that limiting his impact will be key to England’s chances.
- Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane are highlighted by Shearer as England’s key performers, with Bellingham earning four Superior Player of the Match awards, placing him alongside Messi in the tournament’s top individual honors.
- Shearer expects a difficult, high-pressure match, stating no England game has been comfortable so far, and will co-commentate the game for BBC Sport alongside Guy Mowbray, urging fans to brace for a bumpy ride.
Why it matters: England’s players now carry the weight of decades of near-misses against Argentina, with Shearer’s personal reckoning underscoring how one match can define legacies. A win would shift the narrative from historic pain to redemption, while another loss risks reinforcing a pattern of failure at critical moments.
