England are preparing to go up against reigning world champions Argentina on Wednesday, and reach a first World Cup final since going all the way 60 years ago.
This is going to be a clash fitting of the occasion, with two of the best sides in world football vying for a place in the final in New Jersey.
Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez. Some of football’s biggest names.
Former England star Paul Gascoigne knows better than most what this means. He was part of the team that went out to West Germany on penalties in the 1990 World Cup semi-final. He hopes the Three Lions can go a step further, and he has some advice to help them do it.
Paul Gascoigne’s motivational words to England players
Gazza took to Instagram to get his message across.
He began by referring to the last knockout meeting between the two countries, in which Diego Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal sent England out of the competition.
Then, he turns attention to what the players must do to come through victorious.
He says: “I know what it’s like to be in a semi-final, and hopefully no one ends up like me, crying their eyes out. Hopefully, they’ve all got great smiles at the end of the game. Come on, England, you can do it!”
It’s fair to say England haven’t got fully into gear yet at this tournament. Individual moments have bailed them out on more than a few times, with Kane and Bellingham’s hot form getting them over some difficult hurdles.
But everyone needs to step up now.
As Gascoigne explains: “You’ve gotta have 11 captains out there, not just the one that flicks the coin up. 11 captains, and work your nuts off. Lots of love from the one and only Gazza.”
Last time out, eight minutes of Maradona magic bailed Argentina out. This time, it’s another little magician who threatens to break English hearts.
Messi is the leading scorer at the tournament, and has a strong case for best player at the World Cup — at 39 years of age, no less.
Aside from Lionel Messi, which Argentina player scares you the most and why?
Messi will play against England for the first time in his career 😯
We have the four best teams in the world in the semi-finals, and both ties have been near-impossible to predict. It very well could be that they will be decided by one individual moment of brilliance.
England won’t need help getting up for this match, but Gazza’s message might remind them of two things — how painful it is to get that close and lose, and that the onus is on them now.
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