Shearer Reflects on 1998 Heartbreak as England Face Argentina Again

A Quarter-Century of Pain and Hope

I still feel pain of 98 but – It has been nearly three decades since Argentina shattered England’s World Cup ambitions at the 1998 tournament in France, and the memory remains vivid for Alan Shearer. The former striker recalls watching his opponents dance and celebrate beside the English squad as both sides prepared to board their buses following that dramatic last-16 encounter. Despite coming so close to victory, England found themselves on the losing side of a penalty shootout, sending them home from the competition.

As captain at that time, Shearer found the defeat particularly difficult to accept. It was not merely a personal setback, but a disappointment for what he believed was an exceptional squad with genuine potential to make a significant impact on the global stage. That same sentiment resonates with him now as he watches this current England generation prepare for their semi-final clash in Atlanta.

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.

The Rivalry Deepens in Atlanta

There is something uniquely compelling about England meeting Argentina at a World Cup tournament. The history between these nations is rich with drama, featuring controversial defeats in the 1986 quarter-final and the 1998 quarter-final that Shearer participated in. However, the stakes are even higher this time around with a place in the final on the line.

Standing between England and glory is Lionel Messi, widely considered one of the greatest footballers to ever grace the game. Remarkably, the Argentine superstar has never encountered England in his illustrious career. This creates a compelling narrative for what promises to be a mouth-watering encounter, one that Shearer believes England are fully capable of winning regardless of the manner of victory.

Our players just have to make sure they land on the right side of the result this time, and ensure they are not talking like me about what could or should have been, 28 years from now.

Memories of Saint-Etienne

Contemplating Wednesday’s fixture transports Shearer back to Saint-Etienne in 1998, a match that stands among his most memorable performances and certainly one of the most discussed in football history. The Stade Geoffroy Guichard witnessed numerous dramatic moments that night, from Michael Owen’s spectacular goal to Argentina’s brilliant free-kick, followed by David Beckham’s infamous red card.

England endured 75 minutes with ten men after Beckham’s dismissal, while Sol Campbell also suffered the frustration of having a goal disallowed. The night concluded with agonizing penalty shootout defeat. Despite the passage of time, Shearer maintains that the superior team did not emerge victorious from that encounter.

What happened to us then should be a warning to England now, because these are the kind of games where tempers can boil over and affect the result.

VAR Concerns and Tactical Approaches

Shearer acknowledges that another red card is entirely possible in this semi-final, but expresses particular concern regarding refereeing standards and VAR’s influence on the match. He points to the controversial decision that ruled out Egypt’s goal against Argentina in the last-16 stage, noting that such calls have gone Argentina’s way on occasion.

The atmosphere is expected to be intense, making composure essential for both teams. Shearer emphasizes that England cannot afford rash actions that might invite VAR intervention or referee decisions that could alter the outcome.

Regarding Argentina’s performance, Shearer observes that while they have not always played their best football, they have scored impressive goals and demonstrated their experience and streetwise nature as defending champions. Though perhaps not quite at the level of their triumph four years ago, they possess an uncanny ability to find results when necessary.

Everything Argentina do goes through him, and they always look for where he is whenever they win the ball.

When considering how to contain Messi, Shearer suggests that while using a player like Djed Spence for man-to-man marking could work, England will likely maintain the formation they have employed in their previous six matches. Rather than dedicating one player to follow Messi everywhere, the approach will involve one or two players positioning themselves to limit his space whenever he receives possession.

Ultimately, Shearer believes England must do more than simply quieten Messi to secure victory, but if they can achieve that while maintaining discipline and composure, they have every opportunity to overcome the pain of 1998 and write a new chapter in this historic rivalry.