Alan Shearer Reflects on ’98 Pain, Eyes England’s ‘Immortality’ Against Argentina

Alan Shearer, England’s record goalscorer, admits the sting of the 1998 World Cup defeat to Argentina remains potent, but he sees a significant opportunity for the current Three Lions squad to achieve “immortality” by overcoming the Albiceleste in their upcoming semi-final clash.

The former captain vividly recalls the penalty shootout loss in France ’98, a moment that still “hurts now.” He remembers the desolation of watching the Argentinian players celebrate while England’s dreams were dashed. That team, he felt, possessed the quality to make a global statement, a sentiment he now applies to Gareth Southgate’s current side.

“I feel the same way about this England side now,” Shearer stated, reflecting on the high stakes of the semi-final. “They are two wins away from immortality, and the fact it is Argentina we face again first just adds more spice to an already incredible occasion.”

Shearer’s personal connection to the fixture is deep, recalling the drama and controversy of past World Cup encounters, including the 1986 quarter-final and his own experience in 1998. The prospect of facing Lionel Messi, whom he describes as “arguably the greatest player of all time,” adds an extra layer of excitement, particularly as Messi has never faced England at a World Cup before.

“This is the mouth-watering tie we wanted, and I definitely think we can win it,” Shearer asserted, emphasizing the importance of the current generation avoiding the same post-tournament regrets that have haunted him for 28 years.

France 1998 Flashbacks

The 1998 encounter in Saint-Etienne remains one of Shearer’s most memorable matches, a game packed with sub-plots. Michael Owen’s stunning goal, a brilliant Argentinian free-kick, David Beckham’s red card, England playing with ten men for 75 minutes, and Sol Campbell having a goal disallowed all contributed to the unforgettable drama, culminating in the penalty shootout agony.

“While I know I should be over it by now, I still don’t think the best team won,” Shearer commented. He views that match as a cautionary tale for the current England team, warning against the potential for tempers to flare and influence the outcome.

“I would not be surprised at all if we saw another red card this time too,” he admitted, expressing a degree of concern over refereeing standards and the potential impact of VAR. Shearer cited a controversial VAR decision in a recent match that went in Argentina’s favour as an example of the tournament’s unpredictable officiating.

“It will be a red-hot atmosphere, and it will be hard enough for England playing 11 v 11, so cool heads will be imperative,” he stressed, urging players to avoid rash actions that could invite refereeing intervention.

Navigating the Messi Threat

While acknowledging Argentina’s resilience and their knack for finding results, Shearer believes they haven’t necessarily played “great football” to reach this stage. He identifies Messi as the focal point of their attack, with everything revolving around the Barcelona legend.

“How do you stop him?” Shearer pondered. While a man-marking approach is an option, he anticipates England will stick to their established formation, focusing on limiting Messi’s space through collective defensive efforts rather than rigid man-to-man marking.

“There will be other battles going on all over the pitch as well so, for England to win, we will have to do more than just keep Messi quiet, but if we can do that then obviously we have got a much better chance,” he explained.

Shining English Stars

Shearer also highlighted the exceptional performances of England’s own stars. Harry Kane’s consistent brilliance and Jude Bellingham’s “tournament of his life” have not gone unnoticed. Bellingham’s four “Superior Player of the Match” awards, mirroring Messi’s tally, place him firmly in the conversation for player of the tournament.

“They are both in the conversation for the player of the tournament and they are both match-winners,” Shearer stated. “You have to think that, whoever goes through to the final, one of them will play a huge part.”

Despite the confidence in his prediction, Shearer is not anticipating an easy ride. “I am backing England to make it – I think we will have enough to beat Argentina, because we will cause them more problems than they will cause us – but there is no way I am expecting it to be straightforward,” he concluded. He expects another challenging encounter, similar to England’s other hard-fought matches in the tournament.

Key facts
| Detail | Information |
|—|—|
| Match | England vs Argentina Semi-Final |
| Shearer’s 1998 experience | Lost to Argentina on penalties in the Round of 16 |
| Key Argentinian player | Lionel Messi |
| Key England players mentioned | Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham |
| Shearer’s prediction | England to win |

For fans watching back home, Shearer’s message is clear: “strap yourself in – it could be a wonderful evening for us all, but it will definitely be a bumpy ride.”

Source: BBC Sport Football – I still feel pain of ’98 but this can be different for England – Shearer (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c6212j5zw3ko)

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