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England v Argentina & France v Spain - who reaches the final?
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England Camp Update: Rob Jones Reports from Kansas City
At 15:35 · chapter starts 14:35
With the France vs Spain preview concluded, Gary Lineker crosses to Rob Jones at England's Kansas City training camp. Jones paints a picture of a squad that has been genuinely tested: twice coming from behind in knockout games and grinding through extra time against Mexico with ten men after Jarell Kwanza's red card. Jordan Pickford is singled out as a key voice — he has been part of every England World Cup semi-final push since 2018. Jones notes several injury concerns heading into the semi: Reece James played far longer than planned against Norway, Marc Guehi completed 120 minutes with a tight hamstring, Declan Rice is still recovering from illness, and Bukayo Saka is not expected to be fully fit at any point in the tournament.
England came from behind twice in the knockout stages — against DR Congo and Norway — before also surviving a man-down situation against Mexico.
If France reach the final, Mbappé would be heading to his third World Cup final, prompting debate about whether he could surpass Messi as the GOAT of the World Cup.
Mikel John Obi reads Mbappé's World Cup form as a direct message to Real Madrid manager José Mourinho: give me the right system and I will deliver. Joe Cole adds that Jose will identify Mbappé as the power and build around him.
Cult hero Dan Byrne came off the bench against Mexico and made 7 or 8 headed challenges, earning widespread praise within the squad.
