Paul Scholes expects pure ‘chaos’ in England’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina and has predicted a stunning seven-goal thriller.
England face reigning champions Argentina in the second World Cup semi-final on Wednesday night after France take on Spain on Tuesday.
The Three Lions have endured a curious World Cup campaign, impressing in their opening win over Croatia before two underwhelming performances against Ghana and Panama.
Thomas Tuchel’s side were forced to come from behind to beat DR Congo in their first knockout game before producing a heroic display to beat co-hosts Mexico at the iconic Azteca.
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Little separated England and Norway in a cagey quarter-final but Jude Bellingham once again emerged as the hero, scoring a brace to send the 1966 winners into the semi-finals.
Argentina looked one of the standout teams at the World Cup during the group stage, topping Group J with a perfect record, but the holders have survived several scares during the knockout stages.
They were first taken to extra-time by minnows Cape Verde before having to come back from 2-0 down to beat Egypt.
Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 in the quarters but that scoreline only tells half the story with the Swiss seemingly on top until going down to ten men in the second half.
Scholes has not been overly impressed with England or Argentina but prefers the squad at Tuchel’s disposal to his counterpart Lionel Scaloni.
The Manchester United legend believes the semi-final is effectively a ’50-50′ game but has backed England to edge Argentina in a seven-goal thriller.
Scholes still says World Cup glory could be beyond the Three Lions, however, as he cannot see England beating tournament favourites France if both teams reach Sunday’s final.
‘I think the path for England and Argentina have been very similar,’ Scholes said on The Good, The Bat & The Football podcast. ‘I don’t think either team has played that well but they’ve got through games.
‘I think the biggest thing, the biggest advantage for Argentina, is they’ve done it before and they know how to win these big games in tournaments. We’re yet to prove that.
‘This will be lively, this will be chaos. This could be 4-3 either way, there will be yellow and red cards. If Argentina lose they’ll all kick off, that’s absolutely guaranteed. And if you lose to them it’s horrible.
‘I think we can beat Argentina and Spain but I’m not sure we can beat France. I think we need Spain to beat France.
‘I think our semi-final is 50-50, a flip of a coin. Maybe Argentina are just favourites because of the experience but I prefer our squad of players, that’s even taking into account Lionel Messi.
‘I’m going 4-3 to England. It will be chaos – there will be red cards and everything, it will all be going off.’
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