Alan Shearer warns 'a refereeing decision or VAR' could cost England a place in the World Cup final as Three Lions legend hits out at 'nonsense' decisions in Argentina's favour ahead of semi-final

As England prepares to face Argentina in the World Cup semi-final, former striker Alan Shearer has expressed apprehension about the potential influence of refereeing decisions on the outcome. The England legend, now working as a commentator, cautions that the match could be swayed by the performance of officials, particularly the referee Ismail Elfath and his VAR team.

England's journey to this stage has been characterized by resilience and unity, rather than the fluid attacking style fans might expect. Similarly, Argentina’s path has involved hard-fought matches, with their defense and attack occasionally under scrutiny. Despite both teams demonstrating goal-scoring capability, their games have also exposed defensive vulnerabilities.

Shearer’s concerns stem from a series of contentious calls favoring Argentina throughout the tournament. He points to incidents such as a disallowed Egyptian goal during their Round of 16 encounter with Argentina, which sparked accusations of biased officiating. Switzerland’s quarter-final exit was also marred by contentious decisions, including a controversial second yellow card for Breel Embolo under newly implemented rules, intensifying debate about VAR’s role.

One notable early tournament moment involved Lionel Messi avoiding a red card after an incident involving Algeria’s captain, which led to formal complaints by the Algerian Football Association. Similarly, the Austrian national team voiced displeasure over unpunished fouls and penalty decisions benefiting Argentina in the group stages.

Shearer highlights a shift in refereeing trends over the course of the World Cup, noting that while earlier matches saw officials standing firm on certain calls, later games have witnessed a series of decisions that appear more favorable to Argentina. This pattern raises concerns about impartiality as England faces the reigning champions.

The historical rivalry between England and Argentina adds a further layer of tension to the fixture. Shearer recalls the painful memories of the 1998 World Cup Round of 16, where England suffered a penalty shootout defeat amid heated moments including David Beckham’s red card incident. The emotional weight of past encounters looms as the teams prepare to meet again after more than two decades.

Referee Elfath, who has experience officiating matches involving Messi, including the 2023 Leagues Cup final and serving as fourth official in the 2022 World Cup final, will preside over the match in Atlanta. His familiarity with Argentina's star player introduces an intriguing dynamic, though it does not alleviate Shearer’s worries about the potential impact of officiating on the game.

Despite these concerns, Shearer remains optimistic about England’s prospects. He believes that a disciplined performance, particularly by containing Lionel Messi, could open the door for England to reach their first World Cup final since 1966. He predicts a high-scoring match with key contributions from England’s standout players, signaling confidence in the team’s attacking potential.

The upcoming clash carries significant historical and sporting weight, with both teams having demonstrated their resilience and skill. However, the shadow of officiating controversies and the deep-rooted rivalry between the nations ensures that the match will be scrutinized intensely, not only for the quality of play but also for the fairness of its adjudication. As the world watches, the influence of referees and VAR could prove as decisive as the players on the pitch.