England 'should' beat Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals but must control Lionel Messi to do so, says former Manchester United and France defender Mikael Silvestre. The blockbuster clash takes place on Wednesday night in Atlanta, following the first semi-final between France and Spain on Tuesday in Arlington.
Argentina's pedigree vs England's underdog status
Argentina has history on its side, having won the World Cup three times, including the last edition, and reaching two of the last three finals. In contrast, England has won it just once and has been to only one final compared to Argentina's six. However, bookmakers have the Three Lions as slight favourites, a position Silvestre agrees with, as Lionel Scaloni's team is not the force it was four years ago in Qatar.
'Argentina are close to four years ago, but not quite because they are an ageing team,' Silvestre said on 'Could It Be Coming Home?'. 'There are some fresh faces. Enzo Fernandez has been growing as a player, more maturity, they have good players, Messi. I don't think this team is better, but they know how to win games in tournaments. They are super effective. They know how to speed up the game when they need to and slow things down too, they do it collectively. They are better than England and France at this. They master these moments, it is unbelievable. Right now they have had a lot of luck as well.'
Why England should prevail
Silvestre added: 'It is a team this year that England should be beating. This is not a team from four years ago. I think specifically on fitness, they have played a lot of extra time and at some point they will have to be tired because they don't rotate that much. It is always the same 11 that start, so it is an easier job than four years ago.'
'England can win if they control the game and control Messi. That is the one piece of the puzzle. I don't mean man mark him, you have to be aware of him even when he is walking because when he is walking he is preparing his magic trick, analysing what he has to do. France v England would be a nice final because we are tired of facing Argentina – England have to beat them first!'
Silvestre's experience facing Messi
Silvestre, who faced Messi during his Arsenal days when the Argentine played for Barcelona, explained the challenge he poses. 'I played against Messi. He just disappears at some points. He goes into an area and you forget about him. You have to speak to each other more than usual,' advised the Frenchman.
'This is so important for the back four especially, you need to speak to one another, explain he will be on the right shoulder, the left shoulder, it is so important for the back four to communicate with the midfield. It is so important to have that communication to know where he is at all time, especially when he's walking because you know the next move is decisive. That burst of speed over the first five or six yards – he's still got it.'
Looking ahead to potential final
Silvestre expressed hope for an England-France final, noting fatigue with facing Argentina. With Messi's 125 goals in 205 caps for Argentina, the threat remains clear. England's path to the final depends on nullifying the 39-year-old's influence through constant communication and defensive awareness.
