Anticipation builds for semi-final

By Arjun Nair / 15.07.2026

By Arjun Nair — 15 July 2026 — 4 min read

Anticipation builds for semi-final

The England national team is set to face Argentina in a World Cup semi-final match, described as their most significant game since the 1966 World Cup final. This encounter in Atlanta offers England the opportunity to reach their first men’s World Cup final in 60 years. The fixture has garnered considerable global interest, evidenced by the large attendance at coach Thomas Tuchel’s pre-match media briefing, which required a venue change due to demand.

The match, scheduled for Wednesday, represents England’s latest attempt to advance to a global showpiece event, a feat they have not achieved since Sir Alf Ramsey’s team secured the Jules Rimet trophy in 1966. Tuchel expressed confidence in his squad, noting, “We now want to squeeze the last bit out. We want to take the next step.” He also highlighted the players’ excitement and ambition for the game.

A rivalry steeped in history

The upcoming semi-final against Argentina is distinguished from other past semi-final appearances by the deep-seated historical rivalry and controversy between the two nations. This sporting animosity dates back to their 1966 World Cup quarter-final at Wembley. That match is remembered for the sending off of Argentina’s captain Antonio Rattin, an incident that nearly led to his team walking off the pitch. After Geoff Hurst’s late winning goal, Sir Alf Ramsey famously prevented his players from exchanging shirts with the Argentinian team, reportedly referring to them as “animals.”

The rivalry intensified with their meeting in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final in Mexico City, set against the backdrop of the Falklands War. This game featured Diego Maradona’s controversial “Hand Of God” goal and his subsequent brilliant second goal, leading Argentina to a 2-1 victory before they went on to win the World Cup. Another notable encounter occurred at France ’98 in the last-16, where David Beckham was sent off and Michael Owen scored a memorable solo goal, though Argentina ultimately won on penalties.

Lingering ill-feeling was still evident when the teams met again four years later in a World Cup group game in Japan. In that match, Beckham scored the winning goal from a first-half penalty, but Argentina disputed the decision, alleging that Owen had dived. Tuchel acknowledged the historical weight of the fixture, stating, “It is a very big rivalry between two big footballing nations.” He added that while he could claim history is irrelevant, the players are aware of it, and such a fixture with many iconic moments cannot be treated as just another football match. Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni also commented on the emotional aspect, noting that everyone has stories from the past that contribute to the current sentiment.

This rich history of acrimony elevates the current semi-final above other past encounters for England. Winning this match would surpass many memorable games from the past six decades and provide an opportunity for a historic triumph in Sunday’s World Cup final against Spain.

The Messi factor and key players

The semi-final also brings into focus Lionel Messi, with speculation that this World Cup could be his final appearance in the tournament. Having achieved his dream of winning the trophy at Qatar 2022, Messi remains a pivotal figure for Argentina. Despite his age, his brilliance and leadership are still evident, inspiring his team. His emotional reaction after Argentina’s comeback victory against Egypt in the last 16, where they scored three goals in the final 11 minutes after being 2-0 down, underscores his desire for a second World Cup title.

Tuchel praised Messi, calling him “incredible” and highlighting his quality and leadership. Messi is seen as the player England will particularly fear, carrying the hopes of his nation and teammates. This match marks Messi’s first encounter against England, though he has a significant history playing against Premier League clubs. Since the 2009 Champions League final, Messi has played 26 games against English clubs, winning 17, losing four, and scoring 27 goals.

England, meanwhile, relies on the world-class talents of Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, who have been instrumental in their journey to the semi-finals. Tuchel, a respected coach with a Champions League win with Chelsea in 2021, thrives in knockout football. England has scored 13 goals in this World Cup, with 12 of those coming from Bellingham and Kane. Marcus Rashford, who scored in the 4-2 opening win against Croatia, is the only other goal scorer for the team in the tournament so far. This indicates a strong reliance on their two key players, who are currently in exceptional form.

Both England and Argentina have navigated challenging situations in the knockout phase, with Argentina overcoming difficulties against Egypt and Switzerland. The upcoming match is anticipated to be a contest of will and aura, with a high level of intensity and potential for dramatic moments. The World Cup semi-final is set to take place on Wednesday night in Atlanta.

Source: bbc.com