Former England striker, Troy Deeney, is of the opinion that Thomas Tuchel’s team has the potential to defeat Argentina in the semifinal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
He said that they could triumph over the defending champions with a score of 2-0, despite both teams facing significant challenges.
In a discussion on talkSPORT, Deeney said that England is achieving results in a manner reminiscent of Arsenal during their UEFA Champions League campaigns.
He said the Three Lions’ are bound to stumble along the way, noting that fans are overlooking the mistakes due to the favorable results.
He said, “This situation reminds me of Arsenal in the Champions League, where they progress and it seems impressive, but they keep winning, and everyone continues to say, ‘they are performing well,’ they keep winning.
“Ultimately, when they reach a final or semifinal, they encounter a level of competition that is simply beyond their reach. While it may be an entertaining match, they will likely end up losing.”
When predicting the semifinal, Deeney said that it may not be the most exciting matchup. He highlighted the frequent errors made by both teams and commented:
“Is this the…worst semifinal we have witnessed in terms of performance? Neither team has played well. There has been a lack of commitment from both sides, and they both have vulnerabilities.
“One team may lift their game. I am suggesting that this is perhaps the weakest side of the draw, but it could also be advantageous for us, depending on the outcome.
“I believe we will dominate them… winning comfortably 2-0 because I have observed their performance throughout the tournament. They are not [impressive], and they are aging as well. Although they won [in 2022], they possess that experience now. They understand the game better.
“Defensively, they are disorganized. If you analyze their play, their midfielders are ineffective; they are failing to control the game, and they rely heavily on Messi, which is a significant pressure point.”
This match marks the first encounter between England and Argentina since Lionel Messi’s debut in 2005.