Rooney backs England to avenge 1998 heartbreak as Argentina sweat on Messi fitness

Twenty-eight years after Michael Owen’s wonder goal and David Beckham’s red card, England and Argentina meet again in a World Cup knockout match — this time in the semi-final. Wayne Rooney has backed Thomas Tuchel’s side to prevail, echoing the manager’s bullish assessment after England beat Norway in the quarter-finals. The former Three Lions skipper’s prediction comes as Argentina sweat on the fitness of Lionel Messi, who suffered a knock in the build-up to Wednesday’s clash. England’s kit for the match has also been confirmed after a ‘special’ request from the Argentine camp. The rivalry, etched into English football memory by the 1998 last-16 defeat on penalties, will be renewed with a place in the final at stake. Rooney, who played in the 2006 quarter-final defeat by Portugal, has seen enough from Tuchel’s side to believe they can finally end Argentina’s World Cup hopes. But the fitness of Messi, the tournament’s greatest threat, could yet tip the balance.