Thomas Tuchel got the news he needed. England’s World Cup semifinal against Argentina on Wednesday won’t require any major reshuffling after four key players avoided yellow card trouble in the quarterfinal win over Norway. Marc Guehi, Jude Bellingham, Nico O’Reilly and Declan Rice are all clear to play, which changes the whole feel of the buildup.
The quarterfinal was tense. Norway pushed England hard for stretches. But none of the four picked up a booking, which would have meant sitting out the Argentina game under FIFA’s yellow card rules. Bellingham had been booked against DR Congo in the round of 32. Guehi, O’Reilly and Rice all got yellow cards against Mexico in the last 16. Any one of them getting another against Norway would have been a problem.
It didn’t happen. So now Tuchel has his full midfield and backline available against Lionel Messi and the defending champions.
FIFA’s rules reset the yellow card count after the quarterfinals. That means no England player is at risk of suspension for the final — if they get there — unless someone gets a straight red. Same deal applied to defender Jarell Quansah, whose group stage yellow against Panama was wiped clean. But Quansah’s straight red for a foul on Mexico’s Jesus Gallardo earlier in the tournament earned him a two-game ban. He’ll be available again if England reaches the final.
Rice’s situation was a little more complicated. He also got a yellow against Ghana in the group stage, but that doesn’t matter now because the reset happened. The Arsenal midfielder was actually subbed off at halftime against Norway. Tuchel revealed after the game that Rice had spent three days in bed before the match with some kind of illness. He’s expected to be fine for Wednesday.
Reece James is also available again. The Chelsea captain didn’t play since getting hurt against Ghana but got some minutes off the bench against Norway. Ezri Konsa, who started at right back against Norway, came off with cramps — not a muscle injury, Tuchel confirmed.
This Argentina game carries some serious history. England and Argentina have met in three World Cups now. 1998, David Beckham’s red card, penalties. 2002, Beckham’s penalty to draw 1-1 in the group stage. 1986, Maradona’s Hand of God and that incredible run through England’s defense. This will be Messi’s first ever game against England. He missed a friendly against them in 2005 because he got a red card in his debut match against Bosnia.
Bellingham has been England’s best player at this tournament. Six goals so far, including braces against Mexico and Norway. He’s tied with Harry Kane for the team lead. Both are two back of Kylian Mbappe and Messi, who each have eight.
Wednesday’s game in Atlanta should be something. England needs its best players available. Now they are.
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