England vs Argentina confirmed lineups
England (4-2-3-1): Pickford; James, Stones, Guehi, Spence; Anderson, Rice; Rogers, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
Argentina (4-2-3-1): E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, L. Martinez, Tagliafico; Paredes, Mac Allister; Simeone; Messi, Alvarez.
England go head-to-head with old rivals Argentina tonight for a place in the 2026 World Cup Final.
There is such a chequered history between these two nations, both on and off the pitch. So it’s set to be a blockbuster battle in Atlanta.
If you focus on World Cup matches, alone, there have been big moments. Alf Ramsey stopped his players from swapping jerseys with Argentina players after the 1966 quarter-final. Diego Maradona scored both the Hand of God and the greatest goal of the century at the same stage 20 years later.
And then there’s David Beckham’s red card and England’s subsequent penalty shootout defeat in the last-16 1998. Not to mention his redemption in Sapporo four years later.
One more chapter in one of the most-iconic showdowns in World Cup history will be written this week. And this is undoubtedly their most important face-off to date.
Both sides have scrapped theri way to the semi-finals with a trio of narrow, hard-fought, victories. England have come from behind to defeat DR Congo and Norway, the latter after extra-time. They also fought with 10 men to knock out co-hosts Mexico in a hotly-contested match at the Estadio Azteca.
Argentina, meanwhile, needed extra-time to see off both Cape Verde and Switzerland. And they produced a stunning 11-minute turnaround from 2-0 down to break Egypt‘s hearts in the last-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 Declan Rice was withdrawn at half-time against Norway having suffered with illness head of the game. But he looks to have recovered and will join Elliot Anderson in the heart of England’s midfield. The in-form Jude Bellingham should also keep his space playing just behind captain 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.
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