Mac Allister backtracks on England 'no chance' jibe ahead of World Cup semi-final

Alexis Mac Allister has been forced to row back on his dismissal of England’s World Cup chances, after the Argentina and Liverpool midfielder was confronted with his own words at a press conference on the eve of Wednesday’s semi-final between the two nations.

Mac Allister had originally been asked by Jamie Redknapp last season whether England could win the tournament. The 27-year-old stayed silent and pulled a dismissive face, having just named Spain, France, Argentina, and Brazil as contenders — conspicuously leaving England off the list.

Asked about that exchange on Tuesday, Mac Allister sought to soften the blow. “What I said to Jamie was a bit of a joke because at the same time that I said they were not going to be in this situation, I said they have amazing players and a really good coach as well,” he said. “So, I’m not surprised. They have, as I said, very good players. They know what they are doing, they have a great idea, so we really respect them and we will try our best to win.”

However, Mac Allister did not hold back entirely. The ex-Brighton man suggested England have not matched the physical intensity they typically show in the Premier League during this tournament. “I play against most of them every weekend and it’s clear they’re physically very strong,” he said. “That said, I think during this World Cup we’ve seen — I don’t know if I’d call it fatigue or not — but they haven’t played with the same intensity that characterises the Premier League. I don’t know if that’s because of the heat, the weather or other factors, but they’re obviously a great team.”

Mac Allister also pointed to the mental side of the game as a decisive factor heading into the last-four clash. “The mind is the most important thing,” he said. “We have great confidence in ourselves. We know exactly what we’re doing, and we’re not going to change our approach.”

The winner of Wednesday’s semi-final will face Spain in the final, after the Spanish side beat France 2-0 in Dallas on Tuesday.