Wright: I have no liking for Argentina, England must beat them.

On July 15th, Beijing time, during an ITV television program, England football legends Gary Neville, Roy Keane, Patrick Vieira, Ian Wright, and others previewed the upcoming World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina.

What do you think the game will look like tomorrow?

Ian Wright: "I think this will be a game as expected. It will be a tough match. It's a real, deep rivalry that goes back to 1966. We know that in this game, whether we are leading or trailing, there will be chaos on the field. There will be chaos in the stands as well, because the fans of both teams are not completely separated."

“We must show extreme composure in this match. Over time, I’ve learned more about this country (Argentina), and I have absolutely no fondness for them. Of course, Maradona has done many amazing feats, but they are a team we must beat. It will be a tough battle, a real war of attrition, and we must be soberly aware of that. I heard Thomas Tuchel say it’s ‘just a game,’ but no, it’s much more than just a game. When the game starts, they will realize its significance far beyond that.”

Argentina didn't play particularly smoothly, did they? We watched their game against Switzerland a few days ago (before that, they played Cape Verde), and they equalized in the final moments. Gary, they're the kind of team that never gives up until the very last minute, and they've proven that every time.

Gary Neville: "They're a lot like us. Listen, they have an incredible amount of energy. On the positive side, they have a tough and fierce quality that's hard to overcome. We have to be prepared to suffer in tomorrow's game. But, as you just saw them say, I think we have a manager and captain who are suited for big games. They are experienced and not influenced by outside influences."

"But they have to deal with Messi's aura. When you're playing against that guy, he might just be pacing around the pitch, but you know he could suddenly attack at any moment. So there are too many factors to deal with. But I still think we can win, I firmly believe we can win, even though it will inevitably be a tough struggle."

Roy, what do you think?

Roy Keane: “I think it’s going to be an absolutely fantastic game. Both teams, especially England, have to show their strength. You have to play on the edge, you have to be disciplined, you have to be physically strong. When you go and collide with your opponent, you have to go in hard.”

"Show your strength at the same time. In this respect, the two teams are quite similar. Of course, for various reasons, this game will inevitably be mixed with complex emotions. So, yes, I think it will definitely be a clash of titans."

Patrick, what do you think?

Patrick Vieira: "I think it should be a very close match. Argentina might have a slightly more adaptable competitiveness and aggression. So for England, the most important thing is to stay calm and focused and try not to get involved in those kinds of battles. Because from a purely footballing point of view, I think England is fully capable of responding."

But England also needs to be flexible, whatever you call it, they really need that, don't they?

Roy Keane: "Indeed. You mentioned calmness, and obviously you can't do anything stupid, but you can't be too mild either. Yes. It's a football game, full of passion, and you have to be willing to take risks, but don't do anything foolish."

Wright: "We also have enough stamina to compete with them, and I think we can compete with them. Of course, you have to protect some key players, like Jude (Bellingham), because they will likely target Jude, since he is our core player. They will definitely want to limit our core player, but from a physical standpoint, I think we can handle it."

He absolutely cannot be sent off, right?

Roy Keane: "He's 6 feet 1 inch or 2 inches tall, so opponents are bound to come for him. We've had those kinds of confrontations before. Patrick used to kick me every now and then. But that's part of the game, physical contact, it's an essential part of the game."

It's like walking on the edge of a cliff—you have to be relentless and head-on, but also stay calm enough to avoid being kicked off. It's not easy to manage.

Gary Neville: "Yes, we have to be disciplined. There are many precedents in the last two or three decades where England has paid a heavy price for it. But I would say that usually before a game you might not want the game to be too open, but I actually think we need an open game. We have players who are faster than them, and we have the speed advantage."

I suddenly remembered your previous description of the Argentine center-back – “the best and worst center-back in this tournament.” From England’s perspective, hopefully they will show their “worst” side on the pitch tomorrow.

Gary Neville: "They have the ability to win games for the team, but they are also prone to making mistakes."