World Cup: Wayne Rooney names player to replace Madueke in England vs Argentina
Rooney Urges Tuchel to Start Rashford in Semifinal Against Argentina
ATLANTA — Former England forward Wayne Rooney has recommended that manager Thomas Tuchel reinstate Marcus Rashford to the starting lineup ahead of the Three Lions’ World Cup semifinal against Argentina. Rooney suggested that Rashford should replace Noni Madueke for the pivotal match.
England has advanced to the semifinals, now just two victories away from claiming the World Cup title. The team’s recent success was bolstered by Jude Bellingham’s standout performance in the quarterfinals, where he scored twice in a match against Norway, securing a spot in the final four.
The quarterfinal matchup was challenging for England, which initially fell behind when Andreas Schjelderup scored in the 36th minute. Bellingham equalized just before half-time, and, after a scoreless second half, he netted a rebound goal in the third minute of extra time, proving decisive in the 3-2 victory.
Reigning champions Argentina stand between England and its second World Cup final appearance. Argentina advanced after a narrow win over Switzerland in the quarterfinals.
The winner of tonight’s highly anticipated match will face European champions Spain, who efficiently defeated a lackluster France in their semifinal.
In a preview on his BBC podcast, Rooney expressed interest in the lineup Tuchel would choose, acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding England’s initial formation just hours before kickoff. When asked about potential changes, Rooney remarked, “I would position Jude in a three-man midfield, and although he [Tuchel] may not agree, I would opt for Rashford and Gordon.”
He elaborated that he would place Rashford on the right and Gordon on the left to capitalize on their speed. Additionally, Rooney suggested Djed Spence for the left-back position, considering Lionel Messi’s tendency to drift toward the right wing and cut inside onto his left foot.
