Argentina XI vs England: Starting lineup, confirmed team news and injury latest for World Cup 2026 | OneFootball

Lionel Messi is fit to feature in World Cup semi-final

Lionel Messi is fit to face England in tonight’s World Cup semi-final despite taking a knock in Argentina’s victorious quarter-final match against Switzerland.

Argentina required extra-time to get past the Swiss, eventually winning 3-1, but there was cause for concern in the second half as Messi, who has scored or assisted ten of the Albiceleste’s 17 goals at this World Cup, required treatment for an apparent eye injury.

He took an accidental knock to the face from Granit Xhaka which appeared to draw blood, but was fine to continue after taking a moment to collect himself, and was cleaned up by a physio at the next hydration break.

Messi went on to play the full 120 minutes, and should continue in his starting role against England, who he will be facing for the first time.

Two hard-fought wins over Cape Verde and Egypt preceded the Switzerland match, for which Lionel Scaloni made no changes to his side.

Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez have been the go-to airing in central defence since Facundo Medina picked up an injury earlier in the tournament, and the Marseille man could step up here after an exhausted Romero came off at half-time of extra-time against Switzerland.

Full-backs Nahuel Molina and Nicolas Tagliafico were both replaced before the 90 minutes were up and should be fresh enough to start here.

The forward pairing of Julian Alvarez and Lionel Messi both played the duration of the Switzerland match and has proven lucrative.

Enzo Fernandez was not involved in extra-time against Switzerland - the same is true of Rodrigo De Paul and Leandro Paredes - and keep his place as Argentina’s No10.

Argentina XI: E.Martinez; Molina, Romero, L.Martinez, Tagliafico; Paredes, Mac Allister, Fernandez; Alvarez, Messi, Simeone