Argentina chase another world final: build-up to semi-final v England

In partnership with

Radio Gol

·15 Juli 2026

Argentina chase another world final: build-up to semi-final v England

The Argentina national team will look to book another place in a World Cup final this Wednesday when it faces England starting at 4 p.m. (Argentina time) at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, in one of the World Cup semifinals. On the other side, Spain is already waiting after eliminating France 2-0.

How are they coming in?

Argentina comes in after beating Switzerland 3-1 in the quarterfinals, while England knocked out Norway and remains unbeaten in the tournament under Thomas Tuchel. It will be a new chapter in one of the most historic matchups in World Cup history.

Video OneFootball

Head-to-head record

The official record between Argentina and England shows a total of 14 matches played, with an edge for the European side. England has won 6, Argentina has won 2, and the other 6 ended in draws.

In the World Cup, they have faced each other 5 times.

World Cup meetings:

Chile 1962 (Group Stage): England won 3-1.

England 1966 (Quarterfinals): Home win 1-0 (a match especially remembered for the sending-off of Argentina captain Antonio Rattín).

Mexico 1986 (Quarterfinals): Argentina won 2-1 (the historic match in which Diego Maradona scored the “Hand of God” and the “Goal of the Century”).

France 1998 (Round of 16): 2-2 draw after extra time, and Argentina advanced on penalties (4-3).

Korea-Japan 2002 (Group Stage): England won 1-0 with a David Beckham penalty. [1, 2]

The most recent match before the 2026 World Cup semifinal was an international friendly played in Geneva in November 2005, which ended in a 3-2 win for England (Argentina’s goals were scored by Hernán Crespo and Walter Samuel)

Lineups

Lionel Scaloni still has one doubt in midfield and will only confirm the team hours before the match. The likely lineup would be: Emiliano Martínez; Nahuel Molina or Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul or Nicolás González or Giuliano Simeone, Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández; Lionel Messi and Julián Álvarez.

For his part, Thomas Tuchel would go with: Jordan Pickford; Reece James (or Djed Spence), Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi, Nico O’Reilly; Declan Rice, Elliott Anderson; Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon; Harry Kane.

The official in charge will be American referee Ismail Elfath, who has already overseen three matches at this World Cup.