Argentina–England World Cup Semi-Final Revives Historic Rivalry as Messi Faces First Challenge Against Three Lions

Dragon Media News Desk

Defending champions Argentina will face England in one of the most anticipated semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, reviving one of international football’s most historic and emotionally charged rivalries.

The match will begin at 7 p.m. local time on Wednesday, July 15, at Atlanta Stadium in the United States. It will kick off at 4:45 a.m. on Thursday, July 16, in Nepal.

Argentina secured their place in the last four with a 3–1 extra-time victory over Switzerland in the quarter-finals. England also needed extra time to defeat Norway 2–1 and advance to the semi-finals.

The encounter will mark the first time Argentina captain Lionel Messi has faced England in his international career. Argentina and England last met in a friendly in 2005, but Messi was unavailable for that match because of suspension.

The rivalry between the two nations is often viewed against the political backdrop of the 1982 Falklands–Malvinas War. Their 1986 World Cup quarter-final remains one of football’s most memorable matches, with Diego Maradona scoring the controversial “Hand of God” goal before producing an extraordinary solo effort widely regarded as one of the greatest goals in World Cup history.

Another major chapter came at the 1998 World Cup, when England midfielder David Beckham was sent off against Argentina. Four years later, Beckham scored from the penalty spot as England defeated Argentina 1–0 at the 2002 tournament.

Despite the historical, political and emotional weight surrounding the fixture, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has urged both players and supporters to view it primarily as a football match.

After the victory over Switzerland, Scaloni described England as a difficult opponent with an excellent coach.

“It is only a football match,” he said.

Joe Cole’s Messi Remark Sparks Debate

Former England midfielder Joe Cole has added to the build-up by expressing confidence that England can neutralise Messi and defeat Argentina.

During a programme with Gary Lineker and Micah Richards, Cole said Messi would have to be “put to bed,” prompting Richards to immediately warn him against using such language.

Cole nevertheless repeated his prediction, saying he believed England would defeat Argentina and reach the World Cup final.

“I am saying it now. We are going to reach the World Cup final. We are going to beat Argentina. I can feel it inside,” he said.

Former England defender Gary Neville has also attracted attention with his assessment of Argentina centre-backs Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez.

Neville described the pair as a contradictory defensive partnership, suggesting that they occasionally appear capable of gifting goals to opponents but become entirely different players when representing Argentina.

“They look as though they could give away a goal in every match. But then they score, win every header and seem to be everywhere on the pitch,” Neville said.

He jokingly described them as the world’s “best-worst” centre-back partnership.

Argentina’s players celebrated with their supporters after defeating Switzerland to reach the semi-finals. During the celebrations, they joined in a chant popular among Argentine fans that translates as: “Whoever does not jump is English.”

Argentina to Wear Historic Dark Blue Kit

Argentina will wear their dark blue away kit against England in the semi-final. Reports indicate that FIFA approved a special request from the Argentine team, while England will play in their traditional white home strip.

Argentina wore a similar blue kit during the famous 1986 quarter-final in which Maradona scored his two historic goals against England.

The team also wore blue when Argentina defeated England on penalties at the 1998 World Cup following Beckham’s dismissal.

As a result, Argentine supporters and sections of the media have described the dark blue shirt as a fortunate kit against England. The outcome, however, will depend on the teams’ tactics, individual performances and ability to manage pressure rather than the colour of their shirts.

Regardless of the semi-final result, the match will not be Messi’s final appearance at the tournament. If Argentina win, he will play in the World Cup final. If they lose, Argentina will contest the third-place play-off, ensuring that Messi has at least one more match remaining in the competition.

The winner of the Argentina–England semi-final will face the winner of the other last-four encounter between France and Spain in the World Cup final.