CORNERFLICK
Joe Cole has fuelled talk around a potential 2026 World Cup semi-final between Argentina and England by insisting England would beat Lionel Messi’s side and reach the final.
Speaking on The Rest is Football, Cole said: “We’ll send Messi to sleep”, before doubling down on his belief that England are stronger than Argentina. Micah Richards, one of the show’s hosts, told him: “You can’t say that”, but Cole replied: “I’m 100 per cent sure.”
He added that he felt England would reach the World Cup final for the first time since 1966, when they won their only title, and said he was sticking with that view.
Cole has previously praised Messi’s talent, although he has also argued that the Argentina captain has often received special treatment from referees. Any meeting between Argentina and England would carry extra edge because of the sporting and political history between the two countries.