‘We’ll put Messi to sleep’: Former England player fires shot before semifinal

Former England winger Joe Cole has fired the first shot ahead of Wednesday's World Cup semifinal between England and Argentina, declaring the Three Lions will neutralise Lionel Messi.

Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Cole did not hold back when asked about Messi's first-ever meeting with England.

"Messi's first time playing against England? Well, we're going to put him to sleep. We're going to put him to sleep," Cole said.

He went further, backing his side to reach the final in Atlanta.

"Yeah, 100 percent. I'm saying it right now, we're going to reach the World Cup final. We have too much pace for Argentina's strengths, and we're going to beat them. I can feel it in my bones."

Cole's remarks come after England marched on to the last-four with a 2-1 win over Norway in the quarterfinal.

Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane have been central to that run, with both players in strong form heading into the semifinal.

Argentina, meanwhile, arrive as defending champions, with Messi set to face England for the first time in his storied international career.

The two sides carry one of football's richest World Cup rivalries, with meetings dating back to 1962, 1966, 1986, 1998 and 2002.

Several of those clashes produced some of the tournament's most iconic moments.

Their last meeting came at the 2002 World Cup, where David Beckham's penalty gave England a 1-0 win.

England hold the overall head-to-head edge between the two nations at World Cups with three wins against two defeats.