Former Manchester United and France defender Mikael Silvestre has told England they can beat Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals by controlling Lionel Messi's 'magic tricks' through constant communication. The blockbuster clash takes place on Wednesday night in Atlanta, with the winner facing either France or Spain in the final.
England Favourites Despite Argentina's History
Despite Argentina winning the World Cup three times, including the last edition in 2022, and reaching two of the last three finals, bookmakers have England as slight favourites. Silvestre agrees, saying Lionel Scaloni's team is not the force it was four years ago in Qatar. 'Argentina are close to four years ago, but not quite because they are an ageing team,' Silvestre said on the podcast 'Could It Be Coming Home?'
Silvestre highlighted that Argentina have some fresh faces, like Enzo Fernandez, who has grown as a player, but the team overall is not better. 'I don't think this team is better, but they know how to win games in tournaments. They are super effective. They know how to speed up the game when they need to and slow things down too, they do it collectively,' he added.
Fitness Concerns for Argentina
Silvestre pointed to fitness as a key factor, noting Argentina have played a lot of extra time and rotate their squad very little. 'It is a team this year that England should be beating. This is not a team from four years ago. I think specifically on fitness, they have played a lot of extra time and at some point they will have to be tired because they don't rotate that much. It is always the same 11 that start, so it is an easier job than four years ago,' he said.
How to Stop Messi
The Frenchman, who faced Messi during his Arsenal days when the Argentine played for Barcelona, offered advice on stopping the 125-goal international. 'England can win if they control the game and control Messi. That is the one piece of the puzzle. I don't mean man mark him, you have to be aware of him even when he is walking because when he is walking he is preparing his magic trick, analysing what he has to do,' Silvestre explained.
'I played against Messi. He just disappears at some points. He goes into an area and you forget about him. You have to speak to each other more than usual,' advised the Frenchman. 'This is so important for the back four especially, you need to speak to one another explain he will be on the right shoulder, the left shoulder, it is so important for the back four to communicate with the midfield. It is so important to have that communication to know where he is at all time, especially when he's walking because you know the next move is decisive. That burst of speed over the first five or six yards – he's still got it.'
Potential Final
Silvestre also expressed a desire to see a France vs England final. 'France v England would be a nice final because are tired of facing Argentina – England have to beat them first!' he said.
