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Blackcaps LIVE on SN Extra'Planets are aligning': Peter Drury senses something stirring for England
Sport Nation • July 14th, 2026 6:30 am
Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have been an incredible one-two punch up forward for England | Photo: AP
Peter Drury is not usually one to get swept away by English optimism, but even the legendary football commentator admits this England side has him wondering.
Joining Sport Nation’s Millsy & Guy, Drury said there is a growing feeling that something special may be building as England prepare for a blockbuster World Cup semi-final against Argentina.
“I can’t help feeling that planets are sort of aligning here,” Drury said.
He was quick to add the usual warning that England could still fall flat, particularly with Lionel Messi and Argentina waiting, but Drury believes this team has shown qualities that make them different.
“There is just this sense that there’s a bit of X-factor about this team,” he said. “There’s obviously a terrific togetherness amongst them.”
Drury pointed to England overcoming testing conditions in back-to-back matches, altitude in Mexico, then extreme heat in Miami, as evidence of their resilience. He also admitted successful World Cup campaigns often require more than just quality.
“To win these competitions you need to be very, very good principally, but sometimes you need to be a little bit lucky as well,” he said.
That luck, Drury felt, was there in England’s tense win over Norway, with missed chances, fine margins and one crucial goalkeeping error all falling their way.
“Those little marginal things just seem to be dropping England’s way,” he said. “From an English perspective, that sort of makes you wonder whether maybe this time it’s meant to be.”
But standing between England and the final is Messi, a player Drury says remains dangerous even when he appears invisible.
“You have to be most wary of them when they’re quiet,” he said of players like Messi and Erling Haaland. “They hide, they walk around as if they’re completely disinterested, and then they flash into life.”
On the other side of the draw, Drury is equally excited by France against Spain, calling it “an absolutely classic game” and suggesting extra time and penalties would be no surprise.
Still, it is England that has him daring to dream.
“I’m feeling as optimistic as I think I have done towards the sharp end of any of these competitions, sort of ever,” Drury said. “I sort of believe in this lot.”
Listen to the full interview below:
