England vs Argentina semifinal match preview for World Cup 2026

England and Argentina go jam each for semifinal to book place for World Cup 2026 final on Wednesday, 15 July.

Dis one na ogbonge match wey evribodi dey wait for.

Na for Atlanta Lionel Messi go face England for di first time for im career as Argentina dey try defend dia World Cup title while England dey find dia first World Cup final in 60 years.

Di World Cup rivalry between England and Argentina bin start since 1962 and e don produce memorable goals, controversial moments and red cards. Di rivalry no dey only for football, as political tension, especially becos of Falklands War, still dey affect relationship between both kontris.

Even though many pipo fit tink say Argentina don dominate, England actually don win more of dia five World Cup meetings, but dem neva win one wey really mata for many years.

How both teams take reach semifinal

England finish top of Group L wit seven points afta dem beat Croatia and Panama and draw wit Ghana.

Dem come from behind beat DR Congo for Round of 32 bifor dem beat co-host Mexico 3-2 for Round of 16 inside Azteca Stadium.

For quarter-final, dem still come from one goal down beat Norway 2-1 afta extra time.

Argentina top Group J afta victories ova Algeria, Austria and Jordan. Dem struggle beat Cape Verde 3-2 afta extra time for Round of 32 bifor dem come from two goals down beat Egypt 3-2 for controversial Round of 16 match wey Egypt accuse officials of bias.

Dem later beat Switzerland 3-1 afta anoda 120-minute battle for quarterfinal.

Messi go finally play England

For all di trophies Lionel Messi don win, including World Cup, Copa America, Champions League and Ballon d'Or, e neva play against England for im 21 years wit Argentina.

Messi don score eight goals for six matches and dey lead Argentina as dem try become di first team to defend World Cup title since Brazil for 1962. If Argentina beat England, dem go reach dia third final in four World Cups.

England believe say dem fit handle pressure

England neva win major trophy since dem host and win World Cup for 1966.

Dis current squad led by Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham dey close to making history by winning England second World Cup and dia first major trophy outside home.

England, wey rank number four for Fifa ranking, dey play dia fourth semifinal in dia last five major tournaments.

Team news

England midfielder Declan Rice dey doubtful becos of illness, while Jordan Henderson no go play becos of wrist injury.

Argentina no get any injury concern.

Expected line-ups

England: Pickford, Konsa, Stones, Guehi, O'Reilly, Rice, Anderson, Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon, and Kane.

Argentina: Martinez, Molina, Romero, Lisandro, Tagliafico, Paredes, De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Messi, and Alvarez.

Di semi-final go happun for Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, United States, on Wednesday by 8:00pm West Africa Time.

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