Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke discussed England’s belief and attacking threat before facing Argentina in the last four.
Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke believe England’s attacking options can decide another tight game when Thomas Tuchel’s side face Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals.
The Arsenal duo joined club teammate Eberechi Eze on England’s latest Lions’ Den episode, reflecting on the dramatic extra-time comeback against Norway that booked their place in the last four.
Jude Bellingham’s double in Miami sealed England’s spot in the semi-finals, following hard-fought wins over DR Congo and Mexico. Now, only Argentina stand in the way of a first men’s World Cup final since 1966.
England’s resilience has given their forwards the platform to step up when it matters most.
“A lot of times it comes down to moments,” he said.
“We’ve got a lot of players who can produce those moments so you’ve just got to stay focused, keep the ball out of your net and then you just know that one of us in the front line is going to produce a moment of magic and win the game for the team.”
That belief has already faced its share of tests in the knockout rounds.
England squeezed past DR Congo 2-1 in the round of 32, then came from behind to edge out hosts Mexico 3-2. Against Norway, they were forced to dig deep again, with Bellingham’s late heroics proving decisive.
Madueke also felt England’s match-winners have given their opponents more to worry about than anything Tuchel’s squad can offer in return.
“Like B [Bukayo Saka] said, we have match-winners and going through the tournament we haven’t really focused on the opposition in a sense where we’re worried about them,” he said.
“I feel like other teams will be more worried about us.”
Saka and Eze both came off the bench in the second half against Norway, as England chased a route back into the contest.
Eze came on for Arsenal teammate Declan Rice at the break, while Madueke started the quarter-final. All three of the Gunners’ attackers have played their part on England’s journey, and each could have a different role to play when the semi-final comes around on Wednesday.
Eze spoke about how much the squad want to savour the moment of reaching the last four.
“To be in the semi-final, closer to winning the World Cup, is a dream for all of us,” he said.
England now face an Argentina side still chasing back-to-back World Cup titles after their triumph in Qatar.
Lionel Scaloni’s team booked their semi-final place by seeing off Switzerland, while England are aiming to reach a first final in 60 years.
If England get past Argentina, Arsenal will be represented on both sides of the World Cup final. With William Saliba’s France, who tonight, face off against a Spain squad containing David Raya, Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi are part of Spain’s group in the other semi-final.