Two familiar foes will face off in Atlanta on Wednesday as England face Argentina in the semi-final of the 2026 World Cup.
There is no shortage of World Cup history between these two sides. David Beckham’s red card, then his penalty in the next World Cup to win the tie, and of course Diego Maradona’s Hand of god.
Whenever these sides meet, there are always fireworks and controversy of some kind, and I wouldn’t expect that to change now.
Both sides have been part of some tense and nervy knockout games to get to this point. England edged past Norway 2-after extra time thanks to another brace from Jude Bellingham. Thomas Tuchel was critical of his England side’s performance, demanding more from the Three Lions.
Argentina also needed extra time to see off 10-man Switzerland 3-1. Julian Alvarez curled one into the top corner early in extra time to put them 2-1 up before Lautaro Martinez capped it off, sending the current World Champions through.
Neither side has blown anyone away with their performances so far this World Cup, but they have both made it to the semi-finals. This is the biggest test for both nations so far, although you could argue England have had the tougher run to get here.
A final in New York/New Jersey on Sunday, July 19 against the winner of France vs Spain awaits the winner of this one.
How to watch England vs Argentina
England vs Argentina kicks off at 20:00 GMT on Wednesday, July 15 at the Atlanta Stadium.
This match will be shown live in the UK on BBC One, with streaming also available via BBC iPlayer.
In the United States, World Cup coverage is available on FOX Sports and Telemundo.
In Canada, coverage is available on CTV, TSN and RDS.
England team news
England head into the semi-final with a few selection headaches. Reece James is back available and pushing for a place after recovering from his own fitness issue.
Thomas Tuchel now has a genuine decision to make at right-back. Ezri Konsa filled in there against Norway and did a solid job, but James offers far more going forward and could come straight back into the side for a game where England may need quality in possession.
The rest of the defence should stay the same. That then forces the question of whether Konsa move back into the middle alongside Guehi or if Stones keeps his place.
Either way, Nico O’Reilly is expected to continue at left-back after another composed display. Jordan Pickford remains England’s undisputed number one.
Further forward, there is little reason for Tuchel to make changes. Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson have formed an excellent midfield pairing, allowing Jude Bellingham the freedom to influence games higher up the pitch.
Bukayo Saka should return on the right after Madueke started against Norway but offered very little. Anthony Gordon should keep his place on the left, with Harry Kane leading the line.
England have found ways to win without playing their best football at this tournament, but they may need their captain at his clinical best against Argentina.
Jarrel Quansah is still suspended for this one after his red card against Mexico and the random addition of an extra game on his ban from FIFA.
Expected XI:
(4-2-3-1) Pickford – James, Konsa, Guéhi, O’Reilly – Rice, Anderson – Saka, Bellingham, Gordon – Kane.
Argentina team news
Argentina have no reason to rip up the blueprint that has taken them to another World Cup semi-final.
Lionel Scaloni has trusted a settled side throughout the tournament and, barring any late fitness concerns, that is unlikely to change against England.
Lionel Messi remains the headline act. At 39, he is not covering every blade of grass anymore, but he still decides games with one moment of brilliance. England will know that better than anyone, and stopping him is far easier said than done.
Julián Álvarez should lead the line once again, with Messi drifting around alongside him. Enzo Fernández will start closest to the pair at the top of a diamond.
Alexis Mac Allister, Leandro Paredes and Rodrigo De Paul will complete the rest of Scaloni’s midfield.
Cristian Romero will marshal the defence alongside Lisandro Martínez, with Nahuel Molina and Nicolás Tagliafico providing the width from full-back.
Emiliano Martínez is an automatic pick between the posts, much like Pickford for England.
Expected XI:
(4-3-3) Martínez – Molina, Romero, Martínez, Tagliafico – De Paul, Paredes, Mac Allister, Fernández – Messi, Álvarez.
England vs Argentina prediction
This is the game everyone wanted. England against Argentina at the World Cup, add in the chance to make it to the final and it only makes it bigger.
England have quietly grown into this World Cup. They have not blown teams away, and there have been moments where they have looked frustratingly ordinary.
But knockout football is not about style points.It is about finding a way through, and that is exactly what Thomas Tuchel’s side have done.
The win over Norway felt important. England did not panic when they went behind, they stayed patient and eventually found the answers. A month ago, you could argue they might have lost that game.
Argentina, though, are a different beast entirely.
Lionel Scaloni’s side know exactly how to manage these occasions. They are streetwise, they are comfortable without the ball and they never look rattled when a game gets scrappy.
If there was an Olympic event for slowing the tempo and winding the opposition up, Argentina would probably win gold.
Then there is Lionel Messi.
At 39, he is no longer sprinting past five defenders every five minutes, but he is still dragging Argentina through tough games.
England have their own starman though. Jude Bellingham has looked made for this stage. He scored a brace against Norway and Mexico in the round before to get England here.
I also think England match up better against Argentina than some people expect.
Tuchel’s side are organised, physically strong and unlikely to get dragged into the emotional side of the occasion. They will know Argentina want chaos. England’s job is to keep it about football.
Do I think England dominate? No.
Do I think this will be comfortable? Absolutely no chance.
It feels like one of those nights where every tackle gets cheered like a goal, every free-kick causes panic and VAR is involved somewhere along the line.
In matches like this, small moments decide everything. A deflection. A set piece. One flash of brilliance from Messi or Bellingham.
I just have a feeling England will finally get over the line.
It might take extra time, it might take penalties, and it will almost certainly take years off the lives of England supporters, but Tuchel’s side look mentally stronger than they have done for a long time.
My picks for this game would be: England to qualify, Harry Kane to score anytime and both teams to score.
