Harry Kane fires huge warning to Argentina ahead of England World Cup semi as Lionel Messi braces for ‘special’ battle

HARRY KANE vows England WILL improve ahead of Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final showdown with bitter rivals Argentina in Atlanta. And superstar Lionel Messi is relishing a “special” first meeting with Thomas Tuchel’s “powerhouse” Three Lions. Kane knows England were lucky to seal a 2-1 comeback extra-time win over Norway following Jude Bellingham’s double. Now the skipper is demanding more from his team-mates to overcome Messi’s 2022 reigning champions to fire his country to a first World Cup final in 60 years. Asked how much Tuchel’s men can improve, Kane, 32, said: “I know this is going to be a topic from now until the next game and we know we can improve. We know we can play better. “But ultimately, we are in a semi-final of the World Cup and that has not always been the case for this national team so we have to enjoy it. READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP “We showed a lot of great things against Norway, things you need to be a successful team with… our desire and determination, the way everybody puts their bodies on the line for the nation. “And it was tough out there against Norway with the heat and humidity. We can play better on the ball. We know that.” Tuchel was unhappy with the display in Miami. And Kane concedes his team-mates, who have reached back-to-back Euros finals as well as the 2018 World Cup semi- final, have failed to play their best football in North America. Most read in Sport WORLD CUP 2026 FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS World Cup 2026 - all the info England fans believe football is coming home with the Three Lions into the semi-finals. Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham on fire… but the likes of France, Spain and Argentina all remain in the tournament. LATEST NEWS - Jude Bellingham the hero AGAIN as he scores brilliant double to fire Three Lions into World Cup semi - Astonishing reason England’s first goal should not have stood - England face Messi’s Argentina in ultimate World Cup semi-final grudge match - Jude Bellingham hits back at Thomas Tuchel’s criticism of ‘lucky’ England after furious manager’s spiky ITV - Switzerland star sent off in tears vs Argentina after new Fifa rule used KEY INFO - World Cup 2026 full match schedule including kick-off times - World Cup 2026 full squads - World Cup 2026 rule changes - World Cup 2026 prize money VIDEO - Proper Football Daily: Get all the expert analysis each morning - Team Talk – Tactics Exposed: Dive into the tactical talking points TIPS AND BETTING TICKETS If you click a link in this article, we will earn affiliate revenue. Kane said: “We haven’t seen that yet, we’ve shown it in glimpses. Against Norway it was in glimpses. “But we haven’t had full control that we would like and I feel we can have. “We’ll be playing against one of the best teams in the world in the semi-final and we still feel like we can improve. “Of course, we want to get over the line. That is the missing piece now. CLICK ON PIC FOR STAR’S PROFILE CLICK ON PIC FOR STAR’S PROFILE “We’re knocking on the door. We’re getting to semi-finals and finals. “We’re going to need an even bigger push now. “We know ourselves we have another level that we can reach.” Messi won his 205th international cap in Argentina’s 3-1 extra-time win over Switzerland but he has never faced England. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, 39, who recalls Diego Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” goal from the 1986 World Cup against England, said: “Everything I have seen and remember about ’86 is from videos and images that Argentinians constantly watch and relive. “Playing against England is special because they are a powerhouse. “I’ve played against everyone except England, so it will be nice for that reason, too.” Kane attempted to diffuse the spat between Bellingham and Tuchel. Bellingham hit back at Tuchel’s criticism of the performance in the sweltering Florida heat and said: “Maybe he doesn’t know what it’s like to play in those conditions. “He sees us train, the closeness of us and what we can do, especially with the players we have, the way we attack, our one-on-ones and the skills, and he just wants to see that version of us. “We’re playing against good opposition. “He’s trying to drag it out of us and we know ourselves we have another level that we can reach.”