Argentina star Alexis Mac Allister insists he is 'not surprised' England have reached the World Cup semi-finals despite downplaying their chances before the tournament. England face defending champions Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday night for a place in Sunday's World Cup final.
Mac Allister's previous comments
Confidence was fairly high in the England camp going into the tournament given the Three Lions have gone deep in the last two World Cups and reached back-to-back European Championship finals. But Mac Allister, who plays his club football for Premier League giants Liverpool, appeared to doubt England's World Cup credentials.
Asked by ex-Liverpool and England midfielder Jamie Redknapp who he viewed as the top contenders to win the World Cup, Mac Allister said: 'Spain, France are really strong. But I always feel like Argentina and Brazil have a chance. Even Brazil is not in the best moment. I think with Ancelotti, good players, so they have a chance. But for us, maybe.'
Redknapp then said: 'But you've not mentioned England… come on, give us some hope!' Mac Allister responded with a grin: 'You think you have a chance?'
October interview resurfaces
While those comments may have been slightly tongue-in-cheek, Mac Allister snubbed England back in October when asked to identify the top contenders to win the World Cup. Speaking to Argentinian outlet TyC Sports, Mac Allister said: 'Spain, France and Argentina are candidates. You can add Brazil to that. They're making a comeback, and even though they might not be at their best right now, it's a team with great players, and now a great coach has arrived. Brazil has its history and its weight.'
'Right now, I see that Spain and France are among the best teams in the world… along with us and maybe a few others that could join. They have a clear idea of play, but we always trust in ourselves.'
Mac Allister's clarification
Mac Allister's comments were put to him on the eve of Argentina's World Cup semi-final against England and the 27-year-old insisted he 'really respects' Thomas Tuchel's side. Asked if he was 'surprised' by England's run given his previous comments, Mac Allister told Sky Sports: 'No, I'm not surprised. I understand why you ask that because there was an interview that Jamie (Redknapp) was doing at Liverpool. It was a bit of a joke because at the same time I said they were not going to be in this situation (in the business end of a World Cup) I said they have amazing players and a really good coach as well.'
'So I'm not surprised, I'm not surprised. As I said, they have very good players and they know what they are doing. We really respect them and we will try our best to win. It's going to be a tough game because they are a really good team who we respect a lot.'
Road to the semi-final
England have beaten DR Congo, Mexico and Norway into the knockout stages of the World Cup after topping Group L. Argentina, meanwhile, clinched narrow victories over Cape Verde, Egypt and Switzerland to set up a mouth-watering semi-final against historic rivals England.
