England defender Stones believes the experience of previous semi-final victories will be key against Argentina
John Stones says England “still have a lot to give” and is focusing on their recent semi-final success when they face Argentina at the World Cup tonight.
The teams share 60 years of political and sporting rivalry, which sparked a bitter clash at Wembley in 1966 and there will be a hostile atmosphere inside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta when the game kicks off.
England have won their last two semi-finals at major tournaments, the last against Denmark and the Netherlands at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 respectively, and Stones believes that experience will stand them in good stead.
The former Manchester City defender, who is still freelancing after leaving the Etihad, told BBC Radio 5 Live: “It’s been quite a run and it’s given us a lot of experience.
“You have to go through those difficult times, those experiences, to know what to do in different situations and it was a good way to get to where we are now.
“I feel we are in a more comfortable position, we have more experience, we are ready and the biggest thing is belief. Everyone in our circle and I am sure at home believe that we can do this.
“They are an amazing team, it is obvious that they come out after the last World Cup as champions.
“We have won the last two semi-finals [in the Euros] as a team, it doesn’t matter what the competition is. That is confidence in itself.”
Get out there and make everyone proud – Stones is taking the battle out of England
England have a chance tonight to reach their second World Cup final and Stones is hoping Thomas Tuchel’s men can build on the ground set by former coach Gareth Southgate.
He added: “I think the messages that Gareth started and took from his time as manager were principles and things that were clear and foremost in our heads that we could go out and do those things.
“Tomorrow is another stage for us to go and improve ourselves, play the best football, after the last game, we feel we are still standing. [have] more to give, which is pleasing in my eyes. Come out and be ourselves. Get out there and make everyone proud. “
Cue the final but don’t put it ahead of us – England star Stones
This is Stones’ third World Cup after helping England reach the semi-finals in 2018 and the quarter-finals in Qatar four years ago.
“We are about to face Argentina, the first time I have faced them, in another semi-final. It is a completely different way, if you want to put it that way, to get to this point,” he said.
“With a difficult first game, with great excitement, great frustration, some difficult games, slow games that were difficult to finish, Azteca and then one day, where we were, with all due respect, we go to that game as favorites, against a team that should have been there and with incredible quality.
“It was a tough game. There are a lot of conflicts between that, I think and here we are talking before another semi-final. I’m very proud to say that, to be a part of it, to bring everyone back home that belief. The memories and this time, it’s about moving forward and trying not to get ahead of ourselves.”
