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The Three Lions will face Argentina for the first time in 21 years when the two teams line up in Atlanta for a place in Sunday's final against either Spain or France. It will mark the second time in three World Cups that England have reached the semi-final stage and‚ after Saturday evening's scalp of Norway‚ Thomas Tuchel's men have been backed to knockout the reigning champions by a host of ex-players.
On one side of the draw‚ France and Spain‚ the stylists and the matadors‚ most people's pick for the best two teams of the tournament so far. In the other semi-final‚ two more sides who many see as mirrors of each other‚ two sides whose progress to the last four has been more about struggle than style. Thomas Tuchel talked candidly about England's search for their best form after the gritty victory over Norway in Miami on Saturday and‚ beyond all the freighted emotional and political baggage that will come with their clash in Atlanta on Wednesday‚ Argentina are enduring similar labours. They are led by the ageless wonder that is Lionel Messi‚ the joint top scorer in the tournament and the leading scorer in World Cup history‚ and that always has to be the starting point of any analysis of England's opponents.
MARK CLATTENBURG: England had scored their equaliser. The English fans at Miami Gardens were going crazy‚ celebrating Jude Bellingham's brilliant goal. But then I noticed Norway's goalkeeper Orjan Nyland was complaining to the referee‚ Clement Turpin of France. Then the half-time whistle was blown. Then the Norwegian bench was going wild with the fourth official‚ Alejandro Hernandez of Spain. Norway's manager Stale Solbakken was definitely not happy. FOX‚ who I am working for as a rules analyst at this World Cup‚ allowed me and the team to review why they were so upset. Then we saw it. That video clip. You've probably seen it on social media‚ too. The angle that shows the ball suddenly drop from the air. Hardly anyone knows the laws.
Manchester United star Senne Lammens experienced a World Cup cameo to forget after replacing injured Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois during their World Cup clash against Spain. The Real Madrid goalkeeper had been a sturdy presence between the sticks for Belgium‚ keeping the score level at 1-1 despite a flurry of Spanish chances in the second-half. But in the 67th minute‚ Courtois appeared to suffer an injury in his left thigh‚ going down to the turf and prompting referee Michael Oliver to bring up the second-half hydration break.
MERINO THE HERO: Spain edge luckless Belgium as Arsenal star Mikel Merino repeats super-sub heroics and punishes Senne Lammens mistake to set up France semi-final
Real Madrid are reportedly considering the sale of Vinicius Jr‚ with the star Brazil attacker engaged in a contract stand-off at Santiago Bernabeu. Vinicius Jr‚ who has just bowed out of the World Cup following defeat to Norway‚ is back front and centre of the Real Madrid agenda‚ with fans concerned about the lack of a new contract. The 25-year-old was widely expected to extend his deal but weeks have passed and with no agreement in sight‚ reports are emerging in Spain that Real Madrid may need to deal with the prospect of selling.
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