Why Lionel Messi and Argentina will be "more scared" of England in World Cup 2026 semi-final

England volition beryllium little acrophobic of Argentina than Argentina volition beryllium of England during Wednesday's World Cup 2026 semi-final, Manchester United fable Gary Pallister has exclusively told Sports Mole.

La Albiceleste and the Three Lions volition renew a fascinating planetary rivalry astatine the Mercedes-Benz Stadium connected Wednesday evening, with a coveted spot successful the World Cup last against either France oregon Spain connected the line.

However, neither England nor Argentina person been wholly convincing successful the knockout phase, arsenic the Three Lions lone overcame each of DR Congo, Mexico and Norway by 1 goal.

Meanwhile, the reigning champions needed other clip to get past Switzerland and Cape Verde and struggled for the slayer extremity merchandise against the erstwhile successful the quarter-finals earlier Breel Embolo's 2nd yellowish paper for simulation.

In Pallister's view, Golden Boot-chasing Lionel Messi is besides not the subordinate of yesteryear, and the Red Devils icon "fully expects" Thomas Tuchel's broadside to march connected to the World Cup final.

Gary Pallister "fully expects" England to bushed Argentina successful World Cup semi-final

"I ne'er expected Argentina to get beaten, but Switzerland did play truly good until they went down to 10 men," Pallister said. "I conscionable don’t deliberation this is an Argentina squad that England should beryllium acrophobic of. They’ll beryllium much frightened of america that we’ll beryllium of them.

"I emotion Lionel Messi and successful my eyes helium is the top footballer I person ever seen, but I don’t deliberation he’s the aforesaid subordinate helium was 10 years agone erstwhile helium was winning league titles and Champions Leagues with Barcelona.

"England inactive person to support an oculus connected him due to the fact that helium is their person and their go-to player, but connected insubstantial England person much spot than Argentina crossed the pitch. We can’t hide they won the past World Cup, which is an acquisition they tin autumn backmost connected if they request a boost of confidence. That said, I inactive deliberation England are the amended team.

"The vigor successful the US was ever going to beryllium a deciding origin and it was 1 of the reasons arsenic to wherefore I didn’t deliberation England would triumph the World Cup. I thought it would beryllium easier for the confederate hemisphere teams to header with. However, they person dealt with it good and produced results successful hard conditions. They’ve answered that question.

"I inactive deliberation England are 2nd oregon 3rd favourites to France and Spain. One of them has to spell retired successful the semi-final and if we marque it to the last past thing tin happen. When you person big-game players similar Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane successful your squad past thing is possible. I afloat expect England to get past Argentina, and I’m starting to judge that they tin spell each the way."

Where England don't person "more strength" than Argentina

From a purely carnal standpoint, England person the wide precocious manus implicit Argentina, who with an mean tallness of 5ft 10n are acold from the astir intimidating squad astatine the World Cup.

Meanwhile, the Three Lions boast an mean tallness of 6ft and person a mates of notable carnal specimens successful their ranks, from the 2-metre Dan Burn to the 6ft 4in Nico O'Reilly.

However, erstwhile it comes to putting the extremity successful the backmost of the net, Argentina person proven superior from a corporate standpoint, arsenic 8 antithetic Albiceleste players person scored astatine slightest 1 World Cup 2026 extremity truthful far.

Messi leads the mode with eight, portion Lautaro Martinez boasts 2 and Alexis Mac Allister, Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, Cristian Romero, Giovani Lo Celso and Lisandro Martinez person 1 each.

Meanwhile, lone Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford person scored World Cup goals for England this year, and a deficiency of contributions from elsewhere could beryllium costly if the erstwhile 2 are shackled.

Gary Pallister was speaking to Sports Mole connected behalf of NetBet Sport.