It has been 28 years since Argentina brought my World Cup campaign to an end at France 98, but the disappointment has never completely disappeared.
I can still see the Argentina players celebrating beside us while both squads waited to board their buses after that unforgettable last 16 match. England had pushed them all the way, but the penalty shootout went against us and our tournament was over.
As captain, the defeat was extremely difficult to accept. It hurt on a personal level, but it was also painful because we had a very strong team. I genuinely believed we had the quality to achieve something important and show the world what that England side could do.
I have a similar feeling about the current team as they prepare to face Argentina in Wednesday’s semi-final in Atlanta at 20:00 BST.
England are now only two victories away from creating history. The fact that Argentina are the next opponents adds even more emotion to an occasion that already carries enormous importance.
Meetings between these countries at a World Cup always feel different. There is a long rivalry, along with the drama and controversy that surrounded England’s quarter-final defeat in 1986 and the match I played in 12 years later.
This time, the reward is a place in the World Cup final. There is also the challenge of facing Lionel Messi, one of the greatest footballers the game has ever seen, in his first senior international meeting with England.
It is the semi-final many supporters wanted, and I believe England are capable of winning. At this stage, the manner of the victory is not important.
The players simply need to finish on the right side of the result. They must make sure they are not looking back in 28 years and speaking about missed chances in the way I still do now.
England must learn from the emotion and chaos of 1998
Thinking about this semi-final takes me straight back to Saint-Etienne in 1998. It remains one of the most memorable games of my career and one of the matches people still ask me about most often.
That evening at Stade Geoffroy Guichard contained almost everything. Michael Owen scored an extraordinary individual goal, Argentina produced a clever free-kick routine and David Beckham was sent off.
England then played around 75 minutes with ten men. Sol Campbell had a goal disallowed before we eventually suffered the familiar agony of losing in a penalty shootout.
It was an incredible night because so much happened in one match. I know nearly three decades have passed, but part of me still believes the better team did not go through.
The events of that game should serve as a warning for England this week. Matches of this size can become heated very quickly, and one emotional reaction can completely alter the outcome.
I would not be shocked to see another red card when the teams meet again. I also have some concerns about the standard of the officiating and the influence VAR could have on the semi-final.
The discussion around referees and video reviews has changed considerably during the tournament. There have been several strange decisions, including a few that benefited Argentina.
The decision to disallow Egypt’s goal against them in the last 16 was particularly difficult to understand. The referee went back to an incident at the opposite end of the pitch, and the goal was eventually ruled out.
For the sake of both teams, I hope this semi-final is remembered for the football rather than another controversial intervention.
The atmosphere in Atlanta will be intense. England already face a difficult task with both sides at full strength, so remaining calm will be vital.
I understand how difficult it can be to control your emotions during a match of this magnitude. However, England cannot afford a reckless challenge or an unnecessary reaction that gives the referee or VAR a reason to become involved.
Discipline could be just as important as tactics. Argentina are experienced, clever and capable of turning any incident to their advantage. England must not give them that opportunity.
Containing Messi will require a collective effort
Argentina have not produced their finest football during this World Cup, although they have scored several excellent goals.
They are an experienced and intelligent tournament team. They also arrived as defending champions, which gives them confidence and an understanding of how to manage difficult knockout matches.
I do not think this Argentina side is as strong as the team that lifted the trophy four years ago. However, they have repeatedly found a way to get the result they needed.
Having Messi in attack clearly makes that easier. Almost everything Argentina create involves him, and the first thought of their players after regaining possession is often to find his position.
The obvious question is how England can stop him.
One possible solution would be to ask a player such as Djed Spence to follow Messi closely throughout the game. A strict man-marking role could reduce the time he has to influence the match.
I do not expect England to make that kind of change, though. They are more likely to retain the structure they have used throughout their previous six matches.
That means the responsibility for restricting Messi will probably be shared. One or two England players will need to move across quickly whenever he receives the ball and prevent him from finding space between the lines.
The team cannot allow him time to turn, lift his head and choose a pass. Once he is facing the England goal, he can decide the game in a matter of seconds.
There will, of course, be important contests across the entire pitch. England cannot assume that stopping Messi alone will be enough to secure victory.
Argentina possess other players who can punish mistakes, and their midfield is experienced enough to slow the game down when necessary. Their defenders also understand how to protect a narrow lead.
Even so, keeping Messi quiet would significantly improve England’s chances. He remains the player most likely to produce something from nothing.
England have match-winners of their own. Harry Kane has been outstanding during the tournament, while Jude Bellingham is producing some of the best football of his career.
Bellingham, like Messi, has already collected four player of the match awards. FIFA officially calls the prize the Superior Player of the Match, but whatever the title, winning it four times is an exceptional achievement.
Both players are leading candidates for the tournament’s individual award. They are also capable of deciding a semi-final with one moment.
It is difficult to imagine either team reaching the final without Messi or Bellingham playing a major role. These are exactly the occasions when the biggest players are expected to influence the result.
England have enough quality, but the semi-final will not be comfortable
I am backing England to reach the final. I believe they have enough quality to defeat Argentina and can create more problems for their opponents than Argentina will create for them.
That does not mean I expect the game to be easy.
England have not had a comfortable path through this World Cup. Almost every match has required patience, resilience and the ability to respond under pressure.
The only period that felt relatively straightforward was perhaps the second half of the opening game against Croatia. Apart from that, England have had to work for everything.
There is little reason to expect a different type of contest in the semi-final. Argentina will try to disrupt England’s rhythm, compete for every loose ball and use their experience to control the tempo.
England may need to suffer for long periods. They might also have to recover from setbacks during the match, just as they have done earlier in the tournament.
The key is to stay in the contest and trust the players who have delivered so often already.
Kane’s finishing, Bellingham’s ability to drive forward and the pace England possess in wide areas can all trouble Argentina. England also have the energy to press their opponents and prevent them from settling into a slow, controlled game.
The players must believe they belong at this stage. They are not fortunate semi-finalists. They have earned their place and now have an opportunity to produce a result that will be remembered for generations.
For some of them, this could become the most important night of their careers. Two more victories would secure a place in English football history.
I will be in Atlanta, working as a co-commentator alongside Guy Mowbray.
My message to everyone watching at home is to prepare for an emotional evening. It could become a night English supporters remember forever, but the journey is unlikely to be smooth.
Argentina will test England physically, tactically and mentally. Messi will always carry a threat, the atmosphere will be fierce and the history between the countries will add pressure to every incident.
Still, this England team has the chance to create a different ending.
In 1998, we stood beside the Argentina players and watched them celebrate while our World Cup was over. The memory has stayed with me ever since.
The current players can make sure their own story finishes differently.
Title: Shearer backs England to overcome Argentina
