It’s been two decades since England and Argentina faced off in a game that meant something. Wednesday night in Atlanta, that changes. The winner books a ticket to the World Cup final against Spain at MetLife Stadium. The loser goes home with another chapter of regret in a rivalry that doesn’t know how to produce anything else.
Spain already punched their ticket Tuesday, beating France 2-0 in Dallas. Oyarzabal converted a penalty in the 22nd minute, and Porro added a second in the 58th. France is done. Spain gave up one goal in seven matches and looks like the team nobody wants to face. But first, someone has to get there.
England and Argentina have met 14 times. England has won six. Argentina has won two. The rest were draws. But records don’t matter here. What matters is the Hand of God, the Goal of the Century, the 1966 Rattin mess, the 1998 Owen run. Every match between these two leaves scars that don’t fade. Argentina has never lost a World Cup semifinal. They’re 5-0 in that spot coming in.
England’s lineup is mostly settled
Thomas Tuchel can’t use Jarell Quansah (suspended) or Jordan Henderson (broken wrist). That’s about it for bad news. Declan Rice is over the stomach bug that limited him to 45 minutes against Norway, and he’s confirmed to start. Reece James is back from a hamstring issue and should start at right back. Bukayo Saka, managed carefully all tournament, is expected to start after coming off the bench and changing the game against Norway.
Harry Kane gets his 121st cap Wednesday, which puts him past Wayne Rooney as the most-capped England outfield player ever. He and Jude Bellingham each have six goals in the tournament. England has won every knockout match so far, even if they haven’t always looked great doing it. They beat Mexico 3-2 with ten men. They needed extra time to get past Norway. But they’re here.
Scaloni has a real problem up front
Argentina’s coach Lionel Scaloni doesn’t have injury issues, but he has decisions. Cristian Romero came off at halftime of extra time against Switzerland because he was completely gassed. Facundo Medina might start in his place. Up front, both Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez scored in extra time against Switzerland, which gives Scaloni a genuine headache about who starts next to Messi.
There were reports that Scaloni tried a back three in training, but people close to the team say that’s not happening. The midfield four of Paredes, De Paul, Fernandez, and Mac Allister is expected to stay intact. Messi has never faced England in his career. That changes Wednesday.
Argentina has scored three goals in each of its last four matches. They’ve won all six games this tournament, with 17 total goals. That’s one short of their own record. The knockout rounds have been dramatic: extra time against Cape Verde, a comeback from 2-0 down against Egypt with 11 minutes left, and extra time against ten-man Switzerland before Alvarez hit that ridiculous winner.
The Swiss game was the first match of this World Cup where Messi didn’t score. He assisted Mac Allister’s opener instead. The guy is still finding ways to decide games even when he’s not on the scoresheet.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m. BST. BBC One and iPlayer have the broadcast in the UK. The winner gets Spain on Sunday. The loser gets nothing but memories of another game against Argentina that hurt.
Leave a Comment