Semi-final preparations in Atlanta
England and Argentina are set to meet in a highly anticipated World Cup semi-final match in Atlanta on Wednesday. This encounter will mark the first time the two nations have played each other in nearly 21 years. The fixture will also provide a new experience for Lionel Messi, who, despite making over 200 appearances for Argentina, has never faced England on the international stage.
Both teams secured their spots in the semi-finals after dramatic quarter-final victories. Argentina overcame Switzerland with a 3-1 win in extra time, while England defeated Norway 2-1, also in extra time. The match is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon in Atlanta.
The other semi-final will feature France against Spain on Tuesday in Dallas. This setup ensures that the top four ranked teams in the tournament could not meet until the semi-finals, provided they all won their respective groups.
Argentina’s path to the semi-finals
Argentina‘s journey to the semi-finals has been described as taking the hardest path possible. In their quarter-final against Switzerland, La Albiceleste initially took the lead but struggled to extend their advantage. Switzerland managed to equalize in the 67th minute with a goal from Dan Ndoye.
The momentum shifted when Breel Embolo received his second yellow card, reducing Switzerland to 10 men. Despite being a man down, the Swiss defense held firm, pushing the game into extra time. It was in the 112th minute that Julián Alvarez scored his first goal of the tournament, giving Argentina a 2-1 lead. Lautaro Martínez then sealed the victory with another goal in the 121st minute, securing the 3-1 win.
Lionel Messi, who leads the Golden Boot race alongside France‘s Kylian Mbappe with eight goals, did not score in the quarter-final match. He is also the World Cup‘s all-time leading goalscorer. Despite his prolific scoring record, Messi has never played against England, a team Argentina fans consider their biggest rival.
England’s performance and historical rivalry
England advanced to the semi-finals after a hard-fought match against Norway in South Florida. Jude Bellingham was instrumental, scoring two goals to secure the 2-1 victory in extra time.
The rivalry between England and Argentina is one of the most intense in international football, characterized by several memorable and often controversial encounters. These include Diego Maradona‘s ‘Hand of God’ goal in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final and David Beckham‘s red card in 1998. The teams have not met since a friendly in 2005, which England won 3-2 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Former England striker Wayne Rooney noted that while Messi may be a defensive weakness for Argentina, his decision-making and quality in key moments can define games. Pundit Micah Richards highlighted Messi‘s unique ability to find space and his exceptional technique and spatial awareness, making him difficult to mark.
Despite the historical intensity, Chris Sutton suggested that England‘s manager Thomas Tuchel and the players might be looking forward to facing Argentina, acknowledging that while it may not be considered a ‘great’ Argentina team, they consistently find ways to win. The upcoming semi-final clash in Atlanta is set to add another chapter to this storied rivalry.
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Source: bbc.com
Adam Rutherford is a Senior Football Correspondent at News-UK. He spent his early career filing match reports across the North West. He focuses on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Manchester Metropolitan University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Manchester, he coaches a youth team and watches grassroots football. “Every transfer window hides a dozen real stories.”
