Former England captain John Terry has expressed confidence that the national team will secure a home victory in the upcoming semi‑final against Argentina, citing a sense that the moment is finally arriving after the 1966 triumph.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, who was substituted at halftime in the recent match against Norway, has spent most of the pre‑match period in bed with a sickness bug, but coach Thomas Tuchel has indicated that Rice will remain in the starting lineup for the Atlanta showdown.
Argentina, meanwhile, have cleared their key players for the encounter. Lionel Messi, Leandro Paredes and Cristian Romero are all fit to play, despite minor concerns that were ruled out by the team's medical staff.
The win over Norway, propelled by a spectacular performance from Jude Bellingham, set the tone for England’s campaign. Piers Morgan, in a post‑match discussion, described the victory as a clear sign that the team is “coming home” after a long wait.
Despite the positive result, Tuchel admitted that the team’s display was not up to his expectations, noting that both sides appeared somewhat lethargic but that England’s ability to find a way forward remains a key strength.
Messi has already scored eight goals in the tournament, matching the record of Kylian Mbappé, and has supplied two assists. His experience and skill make him a significant threat, even as he approaches the latter stages of his career.
John Terry emphasized that stopping Messi will be challenging but not impossible, arguing that a well‑coordinated defense can limit his impact by denying him time and space on the pitch.
While acknowledging Argentina’s individual talents, Terry believes England’s starting XI outmatches the Argentine side on paper, citing the presence of a solid goalkeeper in Emiliano Martinez and the overall balance of the English squad.
With Rice’s fitness concerns alleviated, Terry expects him to start, and he also anticipates the return of right‑back Reece James after a hamstring injury, replacing the earlier substitute Djed Spence.
As the semi‑final approaches, the focus shifts to whether England can maintain their momentum and secure a place in the final, with the stakes higher than ever for both teams.
