World Cup
Easy to split? Kane says England stay united ahead of Argentina semi
England have reached a World Cup semi‑final for the fourth time, and captain Harry Kane says the squad are "completely together" as they prepare to face Argentina. The "Easy" narrative of division is, the opposite of the reality, and the team’s unity is evident in the camp.
Speaking after a draining 2‑1 win against Norway in the Miami heat on Saturday, England secured their place in the final four. The victory, achieved in challenging conditions, highlighted the side’s resilience and set up the semi‑final clash.
Thomas Tuchel, after the Norway match, said England "got lucky" and expressed that he was "not happy" with the performance "in every sense". His candid assessment sparked discussion within the squad and media.
Jude Bellingham responded with a casual "Yeah, well, whatever" when asked about Tuchel’s comments, noting the difficulty of the situation and the "tough shift" required after the game.
Kane told on Monday that the England camp is far from divided, describing the tendency to create division as an "English thing" at major tournaments. He emphasized that the group’s togetherness includes players, the coach and staff.
Joe Cole vows England to silence Messi before World Cup semifinal
He also contrasted Tuchel’s style with that of Sir Gareth Southgate, praising the German manager for wearing his heart on his sleeve and being unscripted, qualities that Kane believes make him one of the best managers in the world. Nico O'Reilly, a Manchester City defender, said there is a "once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity" to face Lionel Messi, noting Messi’s record‑breaking hat‑trick against Algeria and his equal‑top position with Kylian Mbappe in the Golden Boot race. O'Reilly highlighted the chance to test himself against the eight‑time Ballon d'Or winner. Jordan Pickford warned that England must not focus solely on Messi, reminding teammates of the broader threats in Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina side. Pickford made his comments at the training base in Kansas on Monday, urging the squad to exploit other weaknesses.Tuchel’s luck comment sparks Bellingham’s fury after England’s win
The semi‑final will be played in Atlanta on Wednesday at 20:00 BST against the defending champions, who beat Switzerland 3‑1. The winner will meet either France or Spain on Tuesday, with the final scheduled for Sunday, 19 July at the New York New Jersey Stadium. Fans can learn "How to watch" the World Cup on BBC and ITV, and the tournament’s knockout path continues beyond the semi‑finals. While the focus remains on the upcoming match, England’s unity, as described by Kane, will be tested against Argentina’s star power.