The Black Country duo and the Three Lions face Argentina in Wednesday’s semi-final.
England star Morgan Rogers says it “doesn’t get much better” than a World Cup semi-final against Argentina – or seeing himself immortalised in a mural back home with pal Jude Bellingham.
A fiery clash is expected when Thomas Tuchel leads the nation into just a fourth men’s semi-final on the global stage on Wednesday against Lionel Messi and Co at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Halesowen-born Rogers came off the bench to help England reach the final four, with the substitute’s strike forcing the error that allowed Stourbridge hero Bellingham to secure a 2-1 extra-time win against Norway in Saturday’s quarter-final.
Now the 23-year-old will try to help find a way past Villa team-mate Emi Martinez, who will provide the last line of defence for the world champions in what could be a match for the ages.
“It’s a historic, iconic fixture,” Rogers told Extra Time. “One for the memory books and another one in a semi-final of a World Cup. It doesn’t get much better than that, really.
“I haven’t heard from (Martinez) this week, but I’m sure we will be in contact after. We’ll see.
“The competitive nature will probably outshine friendship and stuff like that and team-mates, and just probably focus on the game.
“Him trying to save my shots and me trying to score past him. No different really, so looking forward to it.”
England have gripped the nation during their run to the semi-finals, with Harry Kane scoring six goals and Bellingham sparkling with six of his own.
The latter grew up with Rogers and the pair are set to be offered the freedom of Dudley, having already been celebrated in a mural on the side of a fish and chip shop in Quinton.
Both are seen tucking into battered chips in artwork that went up before the Norway tie.
Mural of Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers eating orange chips appears in Quintonplaceholder image
Mural of Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers eating orange chips appears in Quinton | Dion Kitson/Instagram
“I did see that,” Rogers said. “It’s really nice. It’s a cool thing that they’ve done.
“Obviously, I know the area and I know the place where it is, so it’s really cool that they can do that for us.
“It’s something to look at and to kind of keep us going as we’re over here and they’re there.
“To look at that on our phones when my mum sent it was a really nice thing to see.
“It just keeps you going, gives you that extra energy that people are supporting back home and what it means to them, really.”
That backing has also been felt Stateside, including Romeo Beckham, the son of former England captain David, wearing Rogers’ shirt to the Norway game.
“Me and Romeo are pretty close,” Rogers added. “We speak quite often.
“He text me that he was coming and asked if he could wear one of my shirts to the game, so I gave it to him the day before in training.
“It was nice that when he was celebrating, he was wearing my shirt. Loads of people asked me about that, so it’s cool that he wore it, to be fair. Yeah, a good friend of mine.”
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