Alan Shearer has warned England to be wary of a major FIFA change and the shifting application of VAR as they prepare to face Argentina in the World Cup semi-final on Tuesday evening. The defending champions stand between the Three Lions and a place in Sunday's final against Spain, and the former England captain is confident Thomas Tuchel's men have what it takes to progress.
Confidence high after wins over Mexico and Norway
Confidence and expectation have risen on the back of victories over Mexico and Norway in less than ideal conditions, while Argentina have hinted at signs of vulnerability throughout their campaign. Shearer, however, has urged England to be mindful of tonight's referee Ismail Elfath, as well as the shift in the way VAR has operated during the knockout stages.
Shearer himself was on the receiving end of questionable refereeing when the teams last met in a knockout game back in 1998, when David Beckham was infamously sent off for lashing out at Diego Simeone. England are sure to be on the receiving end of extreme provocation this evening, and Shearer has warned England's players they must keep their cool in the heat of battle.
Shearer: 'What happened to us should be a warning'
Speaking to the BBC, Shearer said: 'It was an unbelievable night with everything that happened and, while I know I should be over it by now, I still don't think the best team won. What happened to us then should be a warning to England now, because these are the kind of games where tempers can boil over and affect the result.'
'I would not be surprised at all if we saw another red card this time too, but I am slightly concerned where the refereeing will be at, and how VAR might impact us. It feels like there has been a huge shift in the narrative from referees and VAR as the tournament has gone on and there have been some bizarre decisions, including some that have gone Argentina's way.'
Referee Ismail Elfath: A good omen for Argentina?
The man tasked with keeping law and order between the two great rivals is Moroccan-born American Ismail Elfath. Born in Casablanca, Elfath moved to the US after winning a government 'diversity lottery ticket' when he was just 18. After arriving in America, he studied for a degree in mechanical engineering in Texas while also playing for local USL League Two side Austin Lightning.
Elfath's move into refereeing was motivated by his dissatisfaction at the standard of officiating, and he eventually became a professional referee in 2011. Since then, he has established himself as one of the best officials in North America, having won the MLS Referee of the Year award in 2020 and 2022. The 44-year-old, who officiated three games in Qatar, famously sent off Vincent Aboubakar for taking his shirt off after scoring a dramatic winner for Cameroon against Brazil in the group stage.
Elfath is perhaps something of a good omen for Argentina, given he was the fourth official for the World Cup final, which the South Americans won on penalties against France. There's potentially further good news for Lionel Messi in particular, who has won all five Inter Miami games that Elfath has taken charge of.
VAR controversy and Egypt's disallowed goal
Shearer highlighted a controversial VAR decision that ruled out Egypt's goal against Argentina in the last 16, due to a foul at the other end of the pitch. 'The one that ruled out Egypt's goal against them in the last 16, because of a foul at the other end of the pitch, was just astonishing and I just hope for both teams there is no more controversy in this tie,' he said.
'It will be a red-hot atmosphere, and it will be hard enough for England playing 11 v 11, so cool heads will be imperative. I know how hard it is not to react in the heat of the battle but we cannot afford to do anything rash that might give the referee or VAR the chance to get involved.'
