England go head to head with old rivals Argentina on Wednesday for a place in the 2026 World Cup final.
With such a chequered history between the two nations — both on and off the field — it’s set to be blockbuster battle in Atlanta.
When you think about this fixture at the World Cup, you remember Alf Ramsey stopping his players from swapping jerseys following the 1966 quarter-final victory. There’s Diego Maradona’s controversial brace at the same stage 20 years later. There’s David Beckham’s red card and England’s penalty heartache in 1998, followed by Beckham’s redemption in Sapporo four years later.
One more chapter in one of the most iconic showdowns of the tournament’s history will be written this week, and this is undoubtedly their most important face-off to date.
Both sides have scrapped their way to the semi-finals with a trio of narrow and hard-fought victories. England have come from behind to defeat DR Congo and Erling Haaland’s Norway — as well as holding on with 10 men against co-hosts Mexico. As for Argentina, they required extra-time to see off Cape Verde and Switzerland, while they produced a stunning 11-minute turnaround from 2-0 down to break Egyptian hearts in the round of 16.
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England vs Argentina team news
England team news
There are quite a few decisions for Thomas Tuchel to make heading into this one. Declan Rice, who was withdrawn at half-time against Norway, will hope to have recovered further from a bout of sickness he suffered earlier this week. If so, he shall join Elliot Anderson in the heart of midfield, with the in-form Jude Bellingham pushing on ahead behind skipper Harry Kane.
Tuchel also has a dilemma on the wings, having replaced Noni Madueke with Bukayo Saka at half-time on Saturday. The latter will hope to have done enough to earn a start and, while Anthony Gordon didn’t quite hit the heights of his Mexico performance, the Barcelona winger should maintain his place ahead of Marcus Rashford.
The other key decision will be at right-back. After Ezri Konsa deputised there against Norway, you would expect either Reece James or Djed Spence to step back in. Konsa, himself, will face a battle with John Stones to partner Marc Guehi in the heart of defence, with Nico O’Reilly on the left ahead of Jordan Pickford.
What is for certain is Jordan Henderson is unavailable following his freak wrist injury sustained during the post-match celebrations in Mexico City, while Jarell Quansah completes his two-match suspension.
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Argentina team news
Lionel Scaloni named an unchanged starting XI to face Switzerland, and is unlikely to tinker too much with Argentina still having got the job done in extra-time. Although, Thiago Almada, Nico Gonzalez and Lautaro Martinez did all stake their claims to start following impressive cameos from the bench.
Emi Martinez will definitely start in goal, with Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez likely to anchor a four-man defence flanked by Nahuel Molina and Nicolas Tagliafico. The midfield diamond of Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo de Paul, Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez is likely to remain untouched.
Then up front, Lionel Messi will certainly start a game of this magnitude and, incredibly, this will be the first time he’s faced England. He is likely to be partnered by former Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez, whose stunning long-range strike proved decisive against Switzerland.
England vs Argentina predicted lineups
England (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Spence, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
Argentina (4-2-3-1): E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, L. Martinez, Tagliafico; Paredes; De Paul, Mac Allister; Fernandez; Messi, Alvarez.
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