Why Lionel Messi has never faced England before as World Cup semi-final showdown set | OneFootball

Despite a two-decade international career, arguably the greatest ever player has never come up against England

England’s semi-final clash with Argentina will mark a first for Lionel Messi.

On Wednesday, in Atlanta, the six-time Ballon d’Or winner will play the Three Lions for the first time in his illustrious career.

Despite an international career spanning 21 years and 205 caps - including appearances against Mauritania, Estonia and Angola (twice) - Messi has never before faced England.

Thomas Tuchel’s side need extra time to edge out Norway 2-1 in their quarter-final, thanks to a double from Jude Bellingham, who afterwards issued a blunt response to his manager’s criticism of the team’s performance.

Lionel Messi on Saturday night

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In doing so, England reached their second World Cup semi-final in three tournaments after only reaching one (1990) since their victory in 1966.

Now, they will face three-time champions Argentina after the holders beat Switzerland 3-1 in their own quarter-final, which also required extra-time, thanks to goals from Julian Alvarez and Alexis Mac Allister.

Messi, 39, has scored eight goals at the 2026 World Cup and is the leading tournament scorer with 21 goals. He sits just one above France’s Kylian Mbappe, who is also on eight goals for the 2026 edition).

David Beckham scoring against Argentina in 2002

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After his goal against Jordan in the group stage, Messi became the first player in World Cup history to score in seven consecutive games - and extended it to nine against Egypt, until he blanked in the quarter-final against Switzerland.

He will be looking to add to that tally as he comes up against England for the first time in his long and storied international career.

The last time England and Argentina faced off was November 12, 2005 in an international friendly, which the Three Lions won 3-2 thanks to two late goals from Michael Owen.

Messi was not in that squad after being sent off on his Argentina debut against Hungary three months earlier, so Wednesday’s clash will be his first game against England.

Nightmare: Messi missed Argentina’s last clash with England after a red card on his debut

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It will be Messi’s 33rd World Cup game as his side attempt to become just the second in history to retain the trophy, after Uruguay in 1930 and 1934.

The two sides have also faced off at the World Cup in recent years, most notably in 1998 and 2002. In the former, David Beckham was sent off for a kick out at Diego Simeone; Beckham atoned for his error with a penalty against them four years later in a 1-0 group stage win.

Perhaps most famous is England’s quarter-final loss in 1986, where the late Diego Maradona scored a goal considered among the best of all time, alongside theinfamous ‘Hand of God’ goal in a 2-1 win for Argentina.

England and Argentina face off in the semi-final on Wednesday, June 15 at 8pm BST at the Atlanta Stadium.