STAR WORLD CUP PREVIEW Weds: England v Argentina

England face Argentina in the World Cup semi-final at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday night, with a place in Sunday’s final up for grabs, writes JOE CITRONE.

What a tie this is. Jude Bellingham against Lionel Messi, two of the best players at this whole tournament, going head to head with everything on the line.

Bellingham has been England’s talisman at this World Cup – a brace against Mexico, another two against Norway, dragging Thomas Tuchel’s side through when they needed him.

Messi’s doing what Messi does. Eight goals, a country on his shoulders, one last World Cup dance before he’s gone for good.

England haven’t always been convincing; defensively, they’ve looked shaky more nights than not. But somehow, some way, they keep finding a route through. There’s a stubbornness about this team that wasn’t always there before, and a belief that maybe, just maybe, this could be their year.

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England v Argentina
FIFA World Cup Semi-Final
20:00 BBC One / BBC iPlayer / BBC Sport Website

HEAD-TO-HEAD
NOV 2005 FRIENDLY Argentina 2-3 England
JUN 2002 WORLD CUP England 1-0 Argentina
JUN 1998 WORLD CUP Argentina 2-2 England
JUN 1986 WORLD CUPArgentina 2-1 England
MAY 1980 FRIENDLY England 3-1 Argentina

ENGLAND
JUL 2026 WORLD CUP England 2-1 Norway
JUL 2026 WORLD CUP Mexico 2-3 England
JUL 2026 WORLD CUP England 2-1 Congo DR
JUN 2026 WORLD CUP England 2-0 Panama
JUN 2026 WORLD CUP England 0-0 Ghana

ARGENTINA
JUL 2026 WORLD CUP Argentina 3-1 Switzerland
JUL 2026 WORLD CUP Argentina 3-2 Egypt
JUL 2026 WORLD CUP Argentina 3-2 Cabo Verde
JUN 2026 WORLD CUP Jordan 1-3 Argentina
JUN 2026 WORLD CUP Argentina 2-0 Austria

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Argentina aren’t cruising either, though. Cape Verde gave them a bit of a scare in the last-32, Egypt had them two goals down before a dramatic late comeback, and Switzerland pushed them to extra time in the quarters.

Of course, with Messi in the team, Argentina always have a puncher’s chance, but I do think England could have the edge here, which is why I am backing them to win in 90 minutes at 17/10, and Bellingham scoring anytime at 31/10 with starsports.bet.

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