One of football’s greatest rivalries takes centre stage tonight as England and Argentina clash for a place in the 2026 Fifa World Cup final. For England, it is another chance to end decades of World Cup frustration. For Argentina, it is an opportunity to move one step closer to successfully defending the title they won four years ago. Thomas Tuchel’s England have grown stronger with every round of the tournament. The Three Lions opened with an entertaining 4-2 victory over Croatia before being held to a goalless draw by Ghana. They secured top spot in Group L with a comfortable 2-0 win over Panama. The knockout rounds have tested England’s resilience. They recovered from a goal down to eliminate DR Congo in the round- of-32, edged past co-hosts Mexico despite playing with 10 men in the round-of-16, and then came from behind to defeat Norway 2-1 in the quarter-finals. Jude Bellingham has been England’s driving force, scoring both goals against Norway to book a place in the last-four. Argentina’s journey has been equally impressive. Lionel Messi announced his intentions with a hat-trick in a 3-0 opening victory over Algeria, becoming the joint- leading goalscorer in World Cup history before claiming the record outright with further goals against Austria and Jordan. The reigning champions have survived two dramatic knockout encounters, beating Cabo Verde 3-2 after extra time before overcoming Egypt by the same scoreline. They again needed extra time in the quarterfinals, where goals from Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez secured a 3-1 victory over Switzerland. England are appearing in the World Cup semi-finals for the second time in the last three tournaments, having fallen to Croatia after extra time in Russia in 2018. Their only World Cup triumph remains the 1966 success on home soil. Captain Harry Kane continues to lead from the front. The Bayern Munich striker has six goals in six matches, matching teammate Bellingham’s tally. It is the first time England has produced two players with six goals each at a single World Cup. Marcus Rashford has also found the net, while Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon have each provided three assists, giving England multiple attacking threats. Argentina, meanwhile, are chasing history. The three-time world champions are aiming to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to retain the Fifa World Cup. Remarkably, they have won all five of their previous World Cup semifinals. Although Messi remains the team’s talisman and the tournament’s leading scorer, Lionel Scaloni’s side have thrived collectively. Seven other Argentine players have scored during the competition, while eight have registered assists. Defensively, Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez continue to form one of the tournament’s toughest centre-back partnerships, protected by the ever-reliable Emiliano Martinez in goal. WORLD CUP RIVALRY REKINDLED England and Argentina have produced some of the World Cup’s most memorable matches. England won the first two meetings, beating Argentina 3-1 in the 1962 group stage before a 1-0 quarter-final victory enroute to lifting the trophy in 1966. The rivalry reached legendary status in Mexico in 1986 when Diego Maradona inspired Argentina with his infamous “Hand of God” goal and his unforgettable solo strike in a 2-1 quarter-final victory. Argentina prevailed again in a dramatic round-of-16 encounter at France 1998, winning on penalties after David Beckham’s controversial red card. England gained revenge four years later in Japan and South Korea, with Beckham converting the only goal from the penalty spot to eliminate Argentina from the group stage. Tonight, another memorable chapter awaits as the Three Lions attempt to halt Messi’s march towards another World Cup final. England face ultimate test against Messi’s Argentina in a semifinal tie PROBABLE LINE-UPS England (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Konsa, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane. Argentina (4-1-3-2): Emiliano Martinez; Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Tagliafico; Paredes; De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Mac Allister; Messi, Julian Alvarez.The post England face ultimate test against Messi’s Argentina in semifinal tie appeared first on The Observer Media Ltd.