Joe Cole Backs England to Beat Messi's Argentina, Reach 2026 World Cup Final

Q: Will Joe Cole's bold prediction fire up England, or will it simply awaken a vengeful performance from Lionel Messi?

It is more likely to sharpen Messi and Argentina than to materially lift England on its own. Cole’s remark fits the pre-match theater of an England-Argentina semifinal, but history suggests public challenges rarely unsettle Messi. More often, they give him an extra edge. He arrives in outstanding form, with eight goals in five matches, and this is his first senior international meeting with England, a detail that already gives the occasion unusual personal weight. The wider context also favors an emotional Argentine response. This rivalry carries decades of sporting and political baggage, from 1966 and 1986 to Beckham’s red card in 1998. Argentina’s squad has shown a strong siege mentality in this tournament, and Messi himself has framed the match as “special.” In that environment, a line about putting him “to sleep” is more likely to be used as fuel than ignored. That does not mean Cole is wrong about England’s chances. England do have the pace and attacking quality he highlighted, and players such as Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane have been decisive. If England win, it will be because they execute that advantage, control transitions, and limit Messi’s influence with disciplined defending, not because a former player’s prediction inspired them. So the likelier effect is symbolic rather than tactical: Cole’s words may energize the buildup in England, but they are more dangerous as motivation for Messi, who has built a career on answering doubt on the pitch.

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jul 13

Joe Cole predicted England will beat Argentina in the World Cup semifinal and said the Three Lions would "put Messi to sleep" on The Rest Is Football podcast.
England's former midfielder argued his side has enough pace to trouble Argentina and said he was convinced they would reach the final.
The semifinal has been framed as a Clásico-style showdown, with emotions already rising around a meeting between England and Messi's Argentina.
Argentina have yet to face a top-10-ranked opponent at this World Cup, adding another point of intrigue before the clash with England.