The England XI Thomas Tuchel must pick vs Argentina with three big calls | Football | Sport

England face Argentina in the semi-finals of the World Cup, knowing victory would put them into a precious first final since 1966. Only three times before have the Three Lions got this deep into a World Cup and Thomas Tuchel‘s squad know back-to-back victories would make them immortal legends in country’s history.

But standing in their way to book a spot in the final is the holders, and the greatest footballer in history – Lionel Messi. The eight-goal attacker is sharing the lead in the Golden Boot and the South Americans are stacked with more familiar big names like Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez and Cristian Romero. So who should Tuchel select in his starting XI to record a famous victory over Argentina? Express Sport picks our line-up for the grudge match in Atlanta…

Who else? The Everton goalkeeper will claim his 91st cap against Argentina and hope to keep his third clean sheet of this World Cup. Pickford was targeted by some over the fluke Norway goal but has so much credit in the bank still and is a guaranteed starter while fit.

Defence: James, Konsa, Stones, O’Reilly

Here are where the tough decisions start. The first one comes at right-back, where Jarell Quansah remains suspended. Ezri Konsa was solid there against Norway. But Reece James is a natural right-back and by far the best two-way option available.

He’s an elite attacking right-back and defensive right-back and beating Argentina might depend on taking the game to them, given they are the highest-scoring team at the tournament. With Konsa at centre-back that would mean Marc Guehi is a high-profile omission as he partners John Stones. That’s big call number two.

Left-back is where the third main area of debate comes for Tuchel because whoever is picked goes up against Messi. Djed Spence is a one-vs-one specialist and perhaps the best match for Messi but it would be very harsh to bench Nico O’Reilly.

The Manchester City man, 21, has had a very impressive tournament so far and is a physical mismatch for the Argentina No.10. Plus given his ability to invert and offer an extra body in midfield coupled with Messi’s inability to press at 39, his work in possession could be even more important than his work off it. O’Reilly gets the nod from us.

Declan Rice could only play 45 minutes against Norway but that was due to illness, not injury. He suffered food poisoning in the build-up and it showed as he too looked undercooked despite England’s 2-1 win.

Rice has to start again here, having had time to rest and recover. James is at right-back, Jordan Henderson is unavailable and Kobbie Mainoo doesn’t offer the same energy and physicality off the ball. The intensity of Rice and Elliot Anderson out of possession, and their quality with the ball, can win this match for England.

Attack: Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane

No surprises for guessing who starts at centre-forward and who takes the No.10 role behind him. Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are responsible for 12 of England’s 13 goals at this World Cup.

Noni Madueke has four of England’s six matches, but was substituted at half-time against Norway. And though he’s clearly not 100 per cent, Bukayo Saka was still considerably more threatening in his 75 minutes on the pitch. He gets the nod for us on the right wing.

On the left, Marcus Rashford is the only other goalscorer for England after Kane and Bellingham but Anthony Gordon cannot be benched. The Barcelona wide-man has four assists and his defensive work ethic can help O’Reilly up against Messi.

Express Sport’s England XI vs Argentina in full: Pickford; James, Konsa, Stones, O’Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane