World Cup semi-final power rankings: England can get at Argentina and are France too strong for Spain?

After 100 games of pulsating World Cup action, only four nations remain.

Argentina are vying to become the first nation to successfully defend their crown in 64 years, while France hopes to claim football’s greatest prize for a third time.

Getty

There’s also Spain, who aim to continue the momentum generated from winning Euro 2024.

And of course, England is in the mix too as they bid to end 60 years of hurt.

There’s very little separating the remaining quartet, but only one will fly out of the USA with the coveted trophy.

So, who will that be?

Well, according to Gabby Agbonlahor, there’s one team who is head and shoulders above the competition as the three-time England international ranked the remaining World Cup contenders.

4th – Argentina

“Lionel Messi’s been outstanding, Julian Alvarez finally turned up to the World Cup with a screamer of a goal to make it 2-1 against Switzerland,” Agbonlahor said on talkSPORT Breakfast.

“But I look at their full-backs, (Nicolas) Tagliafico, (Nahuel) Molina, (Gonzalo) Montiel, I think we can get at them, I really can.

“If (Bukayo) Saka starts, if it’s (Marcus) Rashford who comes in for (Anthony) Gordon, who wasn’t great, I think we’ve got to use that as our advantage.

“I think we can use the likes of (Jude) Bellingham, (Declan) Rice and (Elliot) Anderson to really get after them.

“I think we’ll have too much for Argentina. If it is extra-time, so be it.”

Getty

3rd – Spain

“I think they lose to France,” Agbonlahor said.

“They haven’t had their greatest tournament. Lamine Yamal hasn been sharp but they’ve missed Nico Williams.

“Defensively they’ve been good, they’ve only conceded one goal. (Pau) Cubarsi and (Aymeric) Laporte have had a good World Cup, but they’ve not faced (Michael) Olise, (Kylian) Mbappe, (Desire) Doue, (Bradley) Barcola, (Ousmane) Dembele. They’ve got so much talent going forward, it’s going to be hard to stop.

“Cubarsi is a young defender at Barcelona. Laporte is playing in Saudi Arabia. Even though they’ve got Rodri and they will keep the ball very well, I just look at this France team being too strong. And they (France) look like they’ve got that mentality as well, ‘We lost that World Cup on penalties in 2022, it’s our time. Whoever it is, we’re going to win.'”

AFP

2nd – England

“I do believe we can beat Argentina,” Agbonlahor said.

“But the way we’ve performed in this World Cup getting to a certain point… we play like we have been and the mistakes that we’ve been making and the poor defending from set-pieces, we’re going to get punished.

“I look at the chance to make it 2-0, (Alexander) Sorloth runs through and he’s got to square it to (Erling) Haaland.

“If that’s Ousmane Dembele, he’s squaring it for Kylian Mbappe and it’s 2-0 down and probably game over.

“I think it’s going to be very difficult. Even with (Harry) Kane, even with Jude Bellingham, a half-fit Bukayo Saka, our midfielders Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice, I think it will be very difficult to get over that Argentina game, what it will take out of you.

“They get a day’s rest on us as well, Spain or France.

“I think it will be very difficult to beat France in a final.”

Getty

1st – France

“I think they have been the team of the tournament,” Agbonlahor said.

“There’s been no negatives from them. Defensively strong. If you try a low block, they’ll get through you. If you try and press them high, on the counter-attack, I’ve not seen a team like it.

“Mbappe, dear Lord almighty, what a performance he’s been putting in. Michael Olise’s been probably the star of the tournament. I look at Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola, one can start, one can come on. I don’t think you really see a difference. Dembele’s been sharp. Midfield, they’ve got so many options.

“I just think this France team could go down as one of the greatest World Cup sides ever. I think it’s a hell of a team to stop at this World Cup, but upcoming Euros and World Cups as well.”