England are set to clash with Lionel Messi's Argentina in a highly anticipated World Cup semi-final on Wednesday. The match, held at the spectacular arena in Atlanta, marks the first competitive meeting between the sides since the 2002 World Cup. England, driven by the brilliance of Jude Bellingham, aim to end Messi's dream of winning back-to-back World Cups and reach their first final in six decades. Argentina, the defending champions, are on course to become the first nation to retain the trophy since Brazil in 1962.
This fixture is laden with historical significance, from Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' in 1986 to David Beckham's red card in 1998. The sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands also adds a layer of complexity to the encounter. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni emphasized the footballing aspect, stating, "The message is this is a football game. That's what I can say."
England's journey to the semi-finals has been anything but smooth. After a thrilling start with a 4-2 win over Croatia, they have faced challenges, including a late comeback against DR Congo and a dramatic victory over Mexico with 10 men. Bellingham has been pivotal, scoring crucial goals in the knockout rounds.
Argentina, meanwhile, have had their own struggles. Despite a strong group phase, they have faced intense battles in the knockout rounds, requiring extra time to beat Cape Verde and Egypt, and a late comeback against Switzerland. Messi's streak of scoring in nine consecutive World Cup outings ended in the quarter-finals, but Argentina's unbeaten run at the finals now stands at 12 matches.
The semi-final is also a historic moment for Messi, as it is the first time he will play against England. At 39, this could be his last chance to add another World Cup to his illustrious career. England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford acknowledged the challenge, stating, "We all know how good Messi is but we also know how good Argentina are. We can't solely rely on (stopping) Messi."
The average age of Argentina's starting line-up is over 30, compared to England's 26.6, raising questions about the South Americans' stamina. England have a doubt over Declan Rice, who has been struggling with illness. The last meeting between the teams was a 3-2 friendly win for England in November 2005, with Michael Owen scoring twice. Messi, then 18, did not play in that game.
