The clash between England and Argentina is consistently considered one of football's most enduring rivalries, rooted in a history of encounters both on and off the pitch.

Argentina, after topping Group J, entered a seemingly favorable knockout stage at the 2026 World Cup. The reigning champions faced Cape Verde (ranked 67th by FIFA) in the round of 32, Egypt (29th) in the round of 16, and Switzerland (19th) in the quarter-finals. Despite the favorable draw, their path was challenging. The South American squad needed extra time to overcome Cape Verde 3-2 and rallied from two goals down to defeat Egypt 3-2. In the quarter-finals, they were held by Switzerland during regular time, even with a numerical advantage, ultimately securing victory in extra time.

England's path to the semifinals proved equally demanding. Their journey included a 2-1 comeback against DR Congo in the round of 32, a 3-2 victory over co-host Mexico at Azteca Stadium despite playing with 10 men, and an extra-time win against Norway amidst the hot Miami conditions.

This semifinal clash will mark Lionel Messi's first encounter with England, a team he has never faced in either official or friendly matches. It is also his third World Cup semifinal appearance, following a runner-up finish in 2014 and a championship victory in 2022.

At 39, Messi remains a pivotal figure for Argentina. He has scored 8 goals, tying Kylian Mbappe for the lead in the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot race. With 21 total World Cup goals, he is the tournament's all-time leading scorer and a strong candidate for this year's Best Player award.

Vy Anh