Kolkata: A fixture steeped in FIFA World Cup history will have its latest chapter written as England and Argentina do battle once again with a place in the 2026 final on the line.
After near misses in 1990 and 2018, England are once again one step away from a second appearance in the FIFA World Cup final, although standing in their way are arch rivals and reigning champions Argentina.
England started their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a bang, emerging as 4-2 victors after exchanging blows with Croatia in their Group L opener. They followed that with something of a stodgy 0-0 draw with Ghana, before making sure they progressed in first place by beating Panama 2-0. Thomas Tuchel’s men showed terrific perseverance to recover from a goal down to defeat Congo DR in the Round of 32, and then had to dig deep with 10 men to find a way past co-hosts Mexico in the Round of 16. The Three Lions exhibited similar steel in their quarter-final, coming from behind to beat Norway 2-1 thanks to two more goals from talisman Jude Bellingham.
Lionel Messi set the tone for an incredible record-breaking tournament as Argentina got their title defence underway with a 3-0 win against Algeria, scoring a hat-trick to become the joint-leading World Cup goalscorer of all time. He soon made that title his own with further strikes in victories over Austria and Jordan, before also finding the net in a pair of rollercoaster 3-2 wins against Cabo Verde in the Round of 32 (after extra time) and Egypt in the Round of 16. Lionel Scaloni’s side needed 120 minutes again to set up this semi-final, with Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez both on target in extra time to make sure of a 3-1 quarter-final triumph over Switzerland.
England are in the semi-finals for the second time in the past three editions of the World Cup, having lost 2-1 to Croatia after extra time at Russia 2018. That followed similar heartbreak in the final four at Italy 1990 – where the Three Lions were beaten on penalties by West Germany – with their only other progression to this stage coming 60 years ago when they went on to be crowned champions. Harry Kane was also captain for the defeat to Croatia in 2018, and having finished that tournament as top scorer, the Bayern Munich man is among the leading contenders for the Golden Boot again.
Tuchel’s side are far from a one-man team though, and Kane has been ably supported at the business end of the pitch by the equally prolific Bellingham. Both players have six goals to their names from as many matches – the first time any nation has had two players net half-a-dozen times at a World Cup. Marcus Rashford is the only other player to score so far, although Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka bring plenty of attacking threat and have provided three assists apiece.
Three-time world champions Argentina are aiming to become the first team to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962, and are in the semi-finals for the sixth time. La Albiceleste have a perfect record at this stage, progressing to the final on all five of their previous appearances. Messi was also an instrumental figure on their last two semi-final outings, converting his side’s first penalty in the shoot-out victory over the Netherlands in 2014 and then opening the scoring from 12 yards in the 3-0 win over Croatia four years ago.
The World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer has yet again provided the focal point for Argentina’s attack in North America, but it has been a team effort that has brought them to the brink of history. Seven other players have had their names on the scoresheet, while eight more have provided assists. At the back, meanwhile, the central defensive pairing of Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez has been as combative as ever, while 2022 Golden Glove winner Emiliano Martinez remains an intimidating presence between the posts.
England possible starting XI
Pickford; James, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Harry Kane
Argentina possible starting XI
Emi Martinez; Molina, Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Mac Allister, Fernandez; Lionel Messi, Alvarez.
Previous World Cup meetings
There have been a handful of meetings between these sides at the World Cup, with England claiming three victories to Argentina’s two.
England’s first two wins came at the 1962 and 1966 editions – courtesy of a 3-1 group stage win and 1-0 quarter-final triumph – before fuel was really added to the flames of a burgeoning rivalry with Diego Maradona’s famous solo effort and ‘Hand of God’ goal in Argentina’s quarter-final victory at Mexico 1986.
Twelve years later the teams came head to head in the Round of 16 at the 1998 tournament in France. England and Argentina played out a thriller in Saint-Etienne that included a teenage Michael Owen’s wonder goal, David Beckham’s infamous red card after an altercation with Diego Simeone, and a penalty-shoot-out victory for Argentina after misses from Three Lions midfielders Paul Ince and David Batty.
At the very next edition, the pair were drawn in the same group and played out an attritional affair in Sapporo, as Beckham – by then England captain – avenged the heartache of four years earlier by rifling in the only goal of the game from the penalty spot. The result led to Argentina’s first World Cup group stage exit in 40 years while the Three Lions made it to the quarter-finals before being undone by Brazil.
Where to watch Argentina vs England FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi final in India ?
Fans can catch live coverage of FIFA World Cup 2026 semi final 1 clash between Argentina and England on Unite8 Sports 1 & 2 and Zee 5 OTT app.
