Joe Cole: England will put Messi to bed in World Cup 2026 semifinal
Synopsis
Former England winger Joe Cole has gone on record saying England will 'put Messi to bed' in the World Cup 2026 semifinal — but Argentina have shown they can win ugly, coming back from 2-0 down against Egypt and surviving scares against Cape Verde and Switzerland. This is the sixth chapter of one of football's fiercest rivalries, and the first in 21 years.
Key Takeaways
Joe Cole predicted England will neutralise Lionel Messi in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal at Atlanta Stadium .
England and Argentina meet at the World Cup for the first time in 21 years ; their last encounter in 2002 ended in an England win via a David Beckham penalty.
Argentina are the reigning world champions, having won their third World Cup title in Qatar — their first in 36 years .
Argentina came back from 2-0 down in the 79th minute against Egypt in the Round of 16, scoring three goals in 13 minutes .
Argentina and France are the only two sides with a 100% record in the tournament, including extra time.
Former England winger Joe Cole has declared that the Three Lions will neutralise Lionel Messi when Thomas Tuchel's side faces Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal at the Atlanta Stadium — a meeting that marks the first encounter between the two nations at the World Cup in 21 years.
Cole's Bold Prediction
'We will have to put Lionel Messi to bed. We're going to put him to bed,' Cole said on The Rest is Football podcast. The former winger's confidence rests on England's attacking strength, which he believes will prove too much for the reigning world champions. The two sides last met at the 2002 World Cup in Japan, where a David Beckham penalty handed England the victory.
A Rivalry Renewed After Two Decades
England and Argentina have clashed five times at the World Cup — in 1962, 1966, 1986, 1998, and 2002. Thursday's semifinal (IST) will be the sixth instalment of one of football's most storied international rivalries, carrying the weight of Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' in 1986 and Beckham's redemption in 2002. The stakes, as always, are immense.
Argentina's Rocky Road to the Semis
Argentina, the reigning world champions who claimed their third World Cup title in Qatar four years ago — their first in 36 years — have not had a straightforward run in this tournament. In the Round of 32, they were pushed to extra time by debutants Cape Verde, eventually advancing 3-2 thanks to an own goal. In the Round of 16, they staged a dramatic comeback against Egypt, recovering from 2-0 down in the 79th minute to win 3-2, with all three goals arriving within 13 minutes.
Their quarterfinal against Switzerland also required extra time. After a 1-1 draw at the end of regulation, Julian Alvarez curled in a stunning second goal before Lautaro Martinez sealed a 3-1 victory. In the group stage, Lionel Scaloni's side beat Algeria, Austria, and Jordan, making them one of only two teams — alongside France — with a 100% record across all matches, including extra time.
What's at Stake for England
England also advanced to the last four via extra time, mirroring Argentina's path. Thomas Tuchel's side will be aware that containing Messi, who remains one of the most decisive players in tournament football, is central to any winning strategy. Notably, this is England's best chance in a generation to avenge decades of World Cup heartbreak against Argentina. The winner of Thursday's semifinal will advance to the FIFA World Cup 2026 final.
Point of View
But Argentina's path to the semifinal tells a different story — they have repeatedly found ways to win when outplayed, most dramatically against Egypt. Messi in knockout football is a different proposition from Messi in group stages, and England's record in high-pressure World Cup knockout ties against South American opposition is not reassuring. The real question is whether Tuchel has a tactical plan to limit Messi's influence, or whether Cole's bravado is the kind that tends to age poorly by full time.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Joe Cole say about Lionel Messi ahead of the World Cup 2026 semifinal?
Joe Cole said England will 'put Lionel Messi to bed' in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal. He made the prediction on The Rest is Football podcast, expressing confidence in England's attacking strength against the reigning world champions.
Where is the England vs Argentina World Cup 2026 semifinal being played?
The semifinal is scheduled at the Atlanta Stadium. It is the first World Cup meeting between England and Argentina in 21 years, since their 2002 encounter in Japan.
How many times have England and Argentina met at the World Cup?
England and Argentina have met five times at the World Cup — in 1962, 1966, 1986, 1998, and 2002. England won their last meeting in Japan in 2002, courtesy of a David Beckham penalty.
How did Argentina reach the World Cup 2026 semifinal?
Argentina advanced through a testing route: they beat Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time in the Round of 32, staged a comeback from 2-0 down to beat Egypt 3-2 in the Round of 16, and defeated Switzerland 3-1 in extra time in the quarterfinal. They won all three group games against Algeria, Austria, and Jordan.
Are Argentina the favourites heading into the semifinal?
Argentina are the reigning world champions, having won their third World Cup title in Qatar four years ago. However, their route to the semifinal has included multiple close calls, and England, under Thomas Tuchel, have matched them in advancing via extra time.
