England legend warns Tuchel's men must be ready for anything against Argentina

The former Three Lions striker is well placed to offer words of wisdom, having experienced highs and lows against La Albiceleste during a glittering playing career.

An unused sub during the last-16 defeat at France 98, he watched from the dugout as Manchester United team-mate David Beckham was red-carded before Glenn Hoddle’s side lost on penalties.

Four years later, Sheringham came off the bench when Sven-Goran Eriksson steered the team to a 1-0 victory to gain a measure of revenge in the group stage.

And the 60-year-old Londoner has warned England’s current crop of stars to expect the unexpected as they bid to book a place in the World Cup final.

Speaking to FIFA, he said: "When you play Argentina in big moments, there are always things that go back through the years. There's obviously a lot of history between the teams and a lot of friction there.

"We need to find something that's going to give us as much drive as they'll have.

“There's always something about really, really wanting to beat someone — and we need to find that to get us over the line."

With a smile on his face, Sheringham added: "South American defenders are naughty. They're horrible.

“They'd kick their gran if they thought she was going to score against them! Stopping their opponents is everything to them.

"England have to be ready again for everything that's going to be thrown at them to stop them scoring.”

As well as countering the dark arts, Thomas Tuchel’s men must deal with the threat of Lionel Messi.

But Sheringham believes Tuchel will have a plan to ensure Argentina’s legendary captain is nullified in Atlanta.

The ex-Tottenham and Manchester United hitman said: “International football becomes harder when you get older but Messi hasn’t relied on his pace, so he has been able to adapt.

Robin Alam/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images

“He’s not as dynamic but everything good still goes through him and England have got to stop him playing. His vision and his touch... he's just phenomenal.

"But this is why Tuchel's been brought in — to fine-tune the team for this moment and hopefully the final.

"The players are in good form and they understand exactly what's needed. I think we're good enough to get over the line."

England fans will hope Sheringham is right to claim that Tuchel knows exactly what to do this evening.

DAZN/FIFA

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