Morgan Rogers is set to be England’s only change for their colossal World Cup semi-final against Argentina in Atlanta tonight.
The Aston Villa midfielder, 23, has started just once so far the tournament, in the final group game against Panama, but impressed off the bench against Norway in the quarter-finals.
Advertisement
He is set to play on England’s right, taking the place of Noni Madueke, which means Bukayo Saka once again starts on the bench.
Thomas Tuchel has an almost fully fit squad of players to pick from, with Declan Rice fully recovered and able to start in midfield for the Three Lions after illness.
Ezri Konsa is set to keep his place over Djed Spence at right back, John Stones in line to partner Marc Guehi at centre-back.
Jarell Quansah remains suspended, while injury-prone Reece James could be saved for later in the game. Jordan Henderson’s wrist injury rules him out.
Argentina’s side is settled, with either Julian Alvarez or Lautaro Martinez, both back in scoring form for the Albiceleste, starting alongside Lionel Messi.
Advertisement
It will be the first time Messi takes on England, thanks to an “anti-football” red card to miss a 2005 friendly, with Tuchel admitting that he could use man marking to combat the No 10.
“I was thinking about [how to deal with Messi],” Tuchel said in his pre-match press conference. “If we do an old school man mark, not sure if we follow through with this idea, but it crossed my mind. Everyone knows the space he wants to show up. Everyone knows he sees stuff before everyone else.”
Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez will compete for one jersey tonight (AP)
Thiago Almada and Nico Gonzalez bring attacking options in midfield, but Leandro Paredes could offer more defensive cover and is the favourite to start in the other key decision for Lionel Scaloni.
Advertisement
The winner will face Spain after Luis de la Fuente’s side eased past France in a comprehensive 2-0 victory in Dallas.
England predicted starting line-up: Pickford; Konsa, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Rogers, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane
Argentina predicted starting lineup: E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico; Paredes; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Messi, Alvarez
Read the full article here
