Defending champions Argentina face England within the 2026 FIFA World Cup‘s second semifinal on Wednesday, renewing one in all soccer’s bitterest rivalries.
From the controversial “Hand of God” aim by Diego Maradona in 1986 to David Beckham being red-carded for kicking Diego Simeone in 1998, England vs Argentina matches on the World Cup have by no means been devoid of drama.
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Come Wednesday, as the 2 groups meet once more on the game’s greatest stage after 24 years, a brand new chapter opens of their storied historical past.
It marks the primary time Argentina legend Lionel Messi will face England, who’ve their very own heroes in Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham.
The winner of this semifinal will proceed to Sunday’s ultimate, dealing with both France or Spain for an opportunity to be topped the world champion once more.
What’s the prediction for Argentina vs England?
As of Monday, Opta’s supercomputer offers England a 38.9 p.c likelihood of profitable in regulation time, whereas Argentina’s possibilities of profitable are 34.1 p.c.
The mannequin estimates a 27-percent likelihood of the sport going to additional time.
The place will the England vs Argentina semifinal be performed?
England will play Argentina at Atlanta Stadium, generally generally known as Mercedes-Benz Stadium, in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. It’s the final of the seven World Cup matches held at this venue, which has a capability of 68,239 for the event.
The stadium, boasting a retractable roof and a 360-degree halo video show, undoubtedly has essentially the most space-age structure of the 16 host cities.
Argentina vs England: Head-to-head
Total, they’ve met 14 occasions in aggressive and pleasant matches.
England lead the head-to-head report with six wins, whereas Argentina have three. 5 video games resulted in a draw.
Argentina vs England: Final 5 matches
- England 3-2 Argentina (worldwide pleasant, 2005)
- England 1-0 Argentina (World Cup 2002, group stage)
- England 0-0 Argentina (worldwide pleasant, 2000)
- Argentina 2-2 England (4-3 on penalties, World Cup 1998, spherical of 16)
- England 2-2 Argentina (Problem Cup, 1991)
Have Argentina and England ever performed on the World Cup?
Sure. England and Argentina have met 5 occasions on the FIFA World Cup.
England have received thrice, whereas Argentina have received twice.
Of their final World Cup assembly in 2002, England received that group recreation 1-0, with David Beckham scoring a first-half penalty.
Full breakdown:
- England 1-0 Argentina – 2002
- Argentina 2-2 England (4-3 on penalties) – 1998
- Argentina 2-1 England – 1986
- England 1-0 Argentina – 1966
- England 3-1 Argentina – 1962
![England captain David Beckham (R) runs in celebration with team mate Trevor Sinclair after scoring from the penalty spot against [Argentina] during their group F World Cup Finals match at the Sapporo Dome stadium June 7, 2002. [England were awarded a penalty after striker Michael Owen was tripped inside the penalty area.]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2002-06-07T120000Z_364218648_PBEAHUKRSFB_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-1783851249.jpg?w=770&resize=770%2C500&quality=80)
Argentina and England: Trophies, medals
Argentina are three-time World Cup winners (1978, 1986, 2022) and report 16-time champions of South America.
England have received only one main trophy: the World Cup in 1966. Whereas they’ve by no means received the Euros, they’re two-time finalists.
Who’re Argentina’s key gamers?
Because the Golden Boot contender with eight objectives, Messi is arguably Argentina’s finest participant on the event. Till the spherical of 16, the 39-year-old scored in every recreation, and has prolonged the report for essentially the most World Cup objectives to 21.
Other than him, Lautaro Martinez has scored twice, whereas Lisandro Martinez and Enzo Fernandez have additionally been key.
Who’re England’s key gamers?
Striker Kane and attacking midfielder Bellingham have equally contributed to England’s success to this point, scoring six objectives every. Whereas Kane bagged most of his objectives throughout the group video games, Bellingham stepped up within the knockout part.
Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka, with three assists every, are additionally important components of the England assault, whereas Elliot Anderson and Marc Guehi have additionally been influential.
Argentina: Strengths and weaknesses
Argentina’s energy lies of their 1.70-metre-tall maestro, Messi, who can produce a second of magic, particularly whenever you least anticipate it. Even at 39, and enjoying in his sixth World Cup, the ageing ahead has confirmed to be Argentina’s finest attacking weapon.
Whereas the reigning champions sailed by way of the group stage with an ideal report, their unconvincing run within the knockouts has raised questions on their means to efficiently defend the title.
Argentina had been pushed into additional time by minnows Cape Verde within the spherical of 32, pressured to come back again from two objectives all the way down to beat Egypt within the subsequent recreation and as soon as once more performed 120 minutes towards Switzerland within the quarterfinals.
Regardless of being the clear favourites in all three video games, Argentina had been underwhelming for many components till their attacking firepower rescued them within the dying moments. It begs the query: How lengthy can they pull this off?
England: Strengths and weaknesses
Very like Argentina, England’s energy additionally lies of their assault – particularly the Kane-Bellingham duo.
Veteran Kane, 32, and his 23-year-old fellow attacker Bellingham have taken turns to be the gamechangers, sharing 12 of the crew’s 13 objectives at this event.
Nevertheless, at occasions, England have seemed disorganised, and there have been cracks on the again.
Their quarterfinal victory over Norway didn’t fairly have the heroics of their win over Mexico within the spherical of 16, prompting coach Thomas Tuchel to criticise their show, calling it “sloppy”, “not quick sufficient” and one stuffed with “technical errors”.
