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FIFA World Cup 2026: England vs Argentina full match preview

FIFA World Cup 2026: England vs Argentina full match preview

Football’s greatest rivalries take center stage once again as England and Argentina lock horns in a blockbuster FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday evening, with a place in Sunday’s final at stake. sportnewz.click

England booked their spot in the last four with an impressive victory over Norway, inspired by a brilliant brace from Jude Bellingham. Argentina, meanwhile, overcame a resilient Switzerland side thanks to a moment of magic from Julián Álvarez, whose stunning strike proved the difference.

England captain Harry Kane enters the pitch for the warm-up before the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals match Norway against England, in Miami, USA, 11 July 2026. PHOTO: EPA/RONALD WITTEK

With history, pride, and a place in the World Cup final on the line, another captivating chapter is set to be written in one of international football’s fiercest rivalries. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the semifinal showdown.

Head-to-head

Matches played 14
England wins 6
Argentina wins 3
Draws 5
England goals 24
Argentina goals 19

England and Argentina have met in 14 matches, with the Three Lions claiming six wins compared
to three for Argentina, while five games have been drawn. Five of their matches have come in the
World Cup, and include iconic clashes such as the 1986 Quarterfinal in which Diego Maradona
scored both goals in a 2-1 win for Argentina, and the 1998 Round of 16 match in which David
Beckham was sent off and the South Americans advanced on penalties.

The teams’ most recent match was a friendly in Geneva in 2005 which England won 3-2.

Players to watch

England – Jude Bellingham
Tournament stats

  • Appearances: 6
  • Goals: 6
  • Assists: 1
  • Yellow/red cards: 1/0
Jude Bellingham of England warms up ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals match Norway against England, in Miami, Florida, USA, 11 July 2026. PHOTO: EPA/SHAWN THEW

A brace of goals in the Quarterfinal against Norway underlined Bellingham’s importance to
England. He is not just a goal scorer, but a talismanic figure whose composure, leadership and
determination inspires his teammates to lift their games.

Argentina – Lionel Messi

Tournament stats

  • Appearances: 6
  • Goals: 8
  • Assists: 2
  • Yellow/red cards: 0/0

Lionel Messi has been brilliant for Argentina in this tournament, with 10 goal involvements (8 goals,
2 assists). He may have struggled to assert himself against Switzerland this past weekend, but you
can bet he will be hungry to take on the English defence.

Key stats
  • 6 – Both Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have scored 6 goals each for England at this World
    Cup.
  • 3 – The 2026 World Cup is just the third time that the Three Lions have reached the semifinals of
    the tournament.
  • 0 – Argentina have never lost a World Cup semifinal in four previous appearances in this round
    (1986, 1990, 2014 and 2022).
  • 8 – Lionel Messi is the tournament’s co-leading scorer, having scored 8 times (level with France’s
    Kylian Mbappe).
Tactical battle
  • England and Argentina arrive in Atlanta with contrasting but equally dangerous identities. England
  • under Thomas Tuchel are structured and adaptable, mixing controlled possession with mid-block
  • pressing and rapid transitions, often funnelling attacks through Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.

Argentina, by contrast, are fluid and unpredictable, shifting between systems while building around
a technically dominant midfield and Lionel Messi’s free role between the lines.

The key battle will be central control: if England’s double pivot can disrupt Argentina’s rhythm, they
can spring forward quickly. But if Argentina dictate tempo and isolate England’s defence, Messi
and their runners can exploit gaps decisively.

Broadcast details (Times CAT)
Wednesday 15 July, 21:00: Semifinal 2 – England v Argentina – Live on SuperSport World Cup Central

The post FIFA World Cup 2026: England vs Argentina full match preview appeared first on SportsAfrica - Sports news | Live scores | Match highlights | Betting tips.

AFS : Une enquête ouverte après la mort de Jayden Adams

La police du Cap a ouvert une enquête à la suite de la découverte du corps de l’international sud- africain Jayden Adams (25 ans) qui venait de disputer les seizièmes de finale du Mondial avec les Bafana Bafana. Sa disparition avait été confirmée par le ministre sud- africain des Sports, des Arts et de la Culture, Gayton McKenzie. Les causes du décès de Jayden Adams restent pour l’heure inconnues. S’exprimant à la télévision sud-africaine dimanche, le père du footballeur, Juanito Adams, a déclaré que la famille attendait les résultats de l’autopsie et n’avait pas encore pris de dispositions pour les funérailles. Des hommages ont été rendus à Jayden Adams, lors des quarts de finale de la Coupe du monde opposant l’Angleterre à la Norvège et l’Argentine à la Suisse.

-AVEC SOL

L’article AFS : Une enquête ouverte après la mort de Jayden Adams est apparu en premier sur Foot Afrique.

Mercato : Yasser Larouci retrouve la Ligue 1 et s’engage avec Le Mans

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L’article Mercato : Yasser Larouci retrouve la Ligue 1 et s’engage avec Le Mans est apparu en premier sur Shoot Africa.

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