Can England beat Argentina? The experts deliver their verdict

The holders represent the toughest test of the tournament so far as the Three Lions bid to end 60 years of hurt.

Boss Thomas Tuchel believes his players still have plenty to give but are they good enough to stop Lionel Messi and Co?

Ahead of the game, some of the biggest names in football — and music — have been voicing their opinions. Read on to discover what they’ve had to say.

John Terry (capped 78 times by England)

I’m not worried about Argentina, if I’m honest. I don’t look at Argentina and sit here being worried about them being better than us.

I think, man-for-man, we’re better than Argentina.

You know what I like about this England side at the minute? We’ve had big moments. We’ve got a good side but it feels like everything’s going for us. It feels like it’s England’s time.

Lionel Messi (Argentina skipper)

It’ll be a special match because I’ve never played against England. They’re also a great team, one of the world’s powerhouses, and it’s always wonderful to play against sides like that.

It’s an encounter that promises to be huge, even more so in a World Cup semi-final.

Robin Alam/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images

Rio Ferdinand (capped 81 times by England

When the chips are down and things aren’t going well, England are working things out. It’s like a jigsaw puzzle and we’re showing we’re able to find the right piece at the right time.

I think that’s one of the things we have over the others. Argentina have managed to do that a couple of times but they’ve looked closer to going out than we have.

Julian Alvarez (Argentina striker)

We aren’t just playing for ourselves, we’re playing for our families, our people and for the chance to make history once again.

We will do everything to make sure Messi wins the World Cup again.

Every game is a battle for him. The first thing I did when I scored the goal [against Switzerland] was to hug him.

Gary Neville (capped 85 times by England)

England haven’t reached a World Cup final since 1966 — and this is an unbelievable chance to win it.

It’s not a vintage Argentina, by any stretch. It’s not as good as the Argentina side from four years ago. But it’s still got danger, of course, because they’ve got Messi and an unbelievable spirit.

Ian Wright (capped 33 times by England)

I don’t fear Argentina like I’d fear France or Spain, because I think there are a lot of fallacies with them.

I think we’ll beat Argentina — not just because I want us to, but because of the way they play and how narrow they are. 

But our wingers need to do a lot more than what they have done. I think we’ll be able to block them and break.

Roy Keane (capped 67 times by the Republic of Ireland)

Truthfully, I think they’ll come up short against Argentina. I think Argentina would just find something in a tight game.

Paul Merson (capped 21 times by England)

I can see us beating them, even with the way we are playing at the moment, which isn't perfect.

England are good enough to win the World Cup. They have players good enough to win the World Cup.

But they will have to be better. They will have to get the simple things right.

Liam Gallagher (Oasis frontman)

We’re winning this World Cup. I don’t know how, don’t care. Respect to all those players [and] manager. You gotta make it happen.

C’mon England. C’mon Wonderwall.

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