The World Cup semifinals are down to one more game. England and Argentina meet Tuesday in Atlanta with a ticket to the final on the line. Spain is already waiting after knocking out France. So the question is simple: Does Lionel Messi get a shot at back-to-back titles, or does England finally end 60 years of hurt?
Here is what to watch when these two heavyweights collide at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
England vs. Argentina: Semifinal Showdown
Where: Atlanta, Georgia
When: 3 p.m. ET Tuesday
TV: FOX, Telemundo
Odds to advance: England -120, Argentina +100
Three Things to Watch on Day 32
Can Argentina keep escaping?
Argentina has made a habit of crawling out of holes in this tournament. They needed everything they had to survive a gritty Cabo Verde side. They came from behind against Egypt with help from VAR. They struggled against 10-man Switzerland for long stretches before finally breaking through.
There are two ways to read this. One is that Argentina is battle-hardened and knows no deficit is too big. The other is that if they waste time against a team like England, those late heroics might not come. But as long as Messi is on the field, nothing is off the table. The man has pulled off weirder things.
England’s stars have to carry the weight
There has been a lot of talk about Thomas Tuchel leaving guys like Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Trent Alexander-Arnold at home. But the superstars who did make the trip — Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane — have been carrying this team through every round.
Now they need one more big performance. Maybe two. In 1966, it was Geoff Hurst and Bobby Charlton who lifted England. If this group wins it all, Bellingham and Kane will get the same kind of legendary treatment. That is the kind of legacy stuff these games are made of.
The history these two teams share is heavy
Argentina chose to wear their dark blue second jerseys for this match. That is not an accident. It is the same kit Maradona wore in 1986 when he scored the Hand of God goal and one of the greatest goals ever in the same game. It is also the uniform they wore in 1998 when David Beckham got himself sent off for kicking Diego Simeone. Argentina won that one on penalties.
England actually leads the all-time World Cup head-to-head 3-2. They won in 1962, 1966, and 2002. But Argentina’s two wins are among the most painful moments in English soccer history. So expect one of two outcomes: a tight, physical England win or another gut-punch loss that becomes part of World Cup lore.
Kickoff is at 3 p.m. ET. The winner gets Spain on Sunday.
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