Photo: Michael Cairns / CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Former England forward Teddy Sheringham has predicted a high-scoring semi-final victory for England against Argentina, with the two sides meeting in Atlanta on Wednesday at 8pm UK time. The winner will face Spain in Sunday's final.
Sheringham, who faced Argentina at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, warned that the South Americans are a physical proposition despite their attacking reputation. "When you play against the Brazilians, the Argentinians, Mexicans, Chile, you think they're going to have that flair. Let me tell you, they are the toughest defenders you'll ever play against," he said.
The 1998 clash in Marseille ended in a 4-3 penalty shoot-out defeat for England, who were reduced to 10 men after David Beckham's red card. Michael Owen's solo goal was among the highlights of a game that also continued England's penalty shoot-out record of failure at the tournament.
In 2002, Beckham converted a penalty to give England a 1-0 group-stage win over Argentina, who were eliminated at that stage. Sheringham came close to scoring in that match, his first-time volley tipped over by goalkeeper Pablo Cavallero. England were eventually knocked out by Brazil in the quarter-finals.
Sheringham predicted a 3-2 or 4-3 result in Wednesday's semi-final. "I think there's going to be goals. I think we're going to edge it by one — maybe a 3-2, 4-3. It could be an absolute whirlwind of a game that you just don't know how it's going to finish," he said.
On England captain Harry Kane, Sheringham was emphatic in his praise. "For me, he's the full package. You know that if he gets half a chance, he's going to hit the target," he said, drawing a comparison with former Tottenham striker Jurgen Klinsmann. "He can hit it from wide left, wide right, six-yard box."
Sheringham also highlighted Kane's creative contribution in the recent match against Mexico, citing the assist for Jude Bellingham's second goal. "The way he drops off as well, he can join in games, like the little ball he played into Jude Bellingham for his second goal against Mexico the other day. He's got it all."