Alan Shearer believes England can beat Argentina in Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final in Atlanta, but the former England captain says the match could also be shaped by refereeing and VAR after a tournament already marked by controversial decisions.
Shearer’s column is framed by the memory of England’s loss to Argentina at France '98. That defeat still looms large 28 years later, especially because England fell on penalties after a game in which they had every chance to go through. Shearer made it clear that the pain remains, but so does his belief that this England side can produce a different outcome.
“I still feel pain of '98 but this can be different for England,” Shearer said. He added that Argentina “ended my World Cup dream” at France '98 in Saint-Etienne, and that England were left going home after losing on penalties. It is the kind of memory that naturally shapes how he views this meeting, even if the teams are now in a very different moment.
That said, Shearer’s confidence in England is not complete without a warning. He said he “definitely” thinks England can win and added that it does not really matter how, but he also said he would not be surprised to see another red card in this tie. His bigger concern is what the officials and the video review system might do in a match already loaded with pressure.
Why the refereeing concerns matter
Shearer pointed to bizarre refereeing and VAR decisions that have already appeared in the tournament, including the call that ruled out Egypt’s goal against Argentina in the last 16. He described that decision as astonishing and said he hopes there is no more controversy in the semi-final.
That concern matters because knockout games can change quickly on one call, one review or one moment of discipline. Shearer is not suggesting England cannot win; in fact, he believes they can. But he is making the case that the officials could be part of the story, especially in a match against Argentina that already carries emotional and historical weight.
England and Argentina meet on Wednesday at 20:00 BST, and the football will matter most. Still, with the memory of 1998 hanging over the fixture, Shearer’s message is simple: England can win this one, but they may need to survive the match and the officiating around it.
