Atlanta [U.S.], July 15 (ANI): Argentina captain Lionel Messi is set to face England for the first time in his illustrious international career as the defending champions take on the Three Lions in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal in Atlanta on Wednesday (local time).
Despite representing Argentina for more than two decades and facing every other FIFA World Cup-winning nation, Messi has never played against England.
That long-awaited first meeting will finally take place with a place in the World Cup final at stake, adding another chapter to one of international soccer’s fiercest rivalries.
The winner will face Spain in the World Cup final after La Roja secured its place with a 2-0 victory over France.
“The truth is, it’s special,” Messi told reporters after Argentina’s 3-1 extra-time victory over Switzerland secured its place in the last four.
“It’s a special match because it’s my first time. I’ve played against everyone except England. And it’s special, as I said before, because they’re a big team, a powerhouse. It’s always nice to play against teams like that, in matches like this, and especially in the semifinals of a World Cup,” he added.
The 39-year-old has previously faced Brazil, Uruguay, Germany, Italy, Spain, and France during his remarkable career, but England remained the only major soccer power missing from his international résumé.
The closest he came was during a friendly in Geneva in November 2005, when Argentina lost 3-2. Messi missed that match after being sent off on his senior international debut against Hungary earlier that year.
Argentina advanced to the knockout stage after winning all three Group J matches.
The team’s knockout-stage campaign has been equally demanding. Argentina opened with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Cabo Verde in the Round of 32 before edging Egypt by the same score in the Round of 16, once again relying on its attacking firepower to overcome a resilient opponent.
The defending champions faced another stern test in the quarterfinals, where Switzerland pushed them to extra time before Argentina secured a 3-1 victory to book its place in the semifinals. Argentina has scored nine goals in three knockout-stage matches, the highest total among the four semifinalists.
The semifinal also revives one of international soccer’s most iconic rivalries. England and Argentina have not met in a competitive match since the 2002 FIFA World Cup, when England claimed a 1-0 victory.
More than two decades later, Messi now has the opportunity to write his own chapter in the storied rivalry as Argentina pursues a place in the final and bids to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend a FIFA World Cup title.
England secured its place in the semifinals with a dramatic 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway, rallying from behind behind a brace from Jude Bellingham.
Bellingham’s decisive winner in the third minute of extra time sent England to just the fourth World Cup semifinal in the nation’s history.
England’s path to the last four has been far more dramatic than that of its remaining rivals. After topping Group L, England edged past DR Congo 2-1 in the Round of 32 before defeating Mexico 3-2 in a thrilling Round of 16 match.
Norway provided an even tougher challenge in the quarterfinals. England fell behind early, missed several chances during regulation, and needed extra time before Bellingham scored the winner to complete a 2-1 comeback victory.
England has won each of its three knockout-stage matches by a one-goal margin, highlighting the resilience it has shown throughout the tournament.
Spain, meanwhile, defeated France 2-0 in the other semifinal in Arlington, Texas, to advance to the World Cup final. Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Lamine Yamal was fouled inside the penalty area, and Pedro Porro added a second goal early in the second half to seal the victory.
Oyarzabal has scored 18 goals in his last 20 appearances for Spain. His penalty made him the sixth player to reach 30 international goals for Spain, joining David Silva (35), Álvaro Morata (37), Fernando Torres (38), Raúl (44), and David Villa (59). (ANI)
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