Messi Ready to Face 'Powerhouse' England in World Cup Semi-Final
Messi, 39, has eight goals at the 2026 World Cup and will face England for the first time in his 205-cap career.
- England faces Argentina in the World Cup semi-final this Wednesday at Atlanta Stadium, pitting the Three Lions against the defending champions for a place in the tournament final.
- Following quarter-final victories, England manager Thomas Tuchel's side edged Norway 2-1 after extra time with two goals from Jude Bellingham, while Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 with Julian Alvarez and Alexis Mac Allister scoring.
- Lionel Messi, 39, will face the Three Lions for the first time in his 21-year international career, bringing 21 tournament goals as the leading scorer seeking to help Argentina retain the trophy.
- The rivalry includes the 1986 quarter-final, where the late Diego Maradona scored the 'Hand of God' goal, and David Beckham's 1998 red card against Diego Simeone, though Beckham later scored a penalty against Argentina.
- Argentina seeks to retain the trophy, a feat only achieved by Uruguay in 1930 and 1934, while England aims to reach another World Cup final since their 1966 victory.
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58 Articles
Radio France Internationale
rtl.luEngland face might of Messi's Argentina in World Cup semi-final
An England team which has been dragged to this stage by the brilliance of Jude Bellingham take on Messi's Argentina under the roof of the spectacular arena in Atlanta, already the scene of a memorable victory by the defending champions at this tournament. It is the first competitive meeting of the sides since the 2002 World Cup and the fixture conjures so many memories, from Diego Maradona and the 'Hand of God' in 1986, to David Beckham's red ca…
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Soccer-Messi, Bellingham and history collide in Argentina-England semi-final
By Gabriel Araujo and Lori Ewing KANSAS CITY, Missouri, July 13 (Reuters) - A World Cup semi-final between Argentina and England scarcely needs extra storylines, but Wednesday's clash in Atlanta arrives carrying decades of soccer drama, political bagga...
Lionel Messi has never played against England, but what's his record like against English clubs, and who has he played in the current England squad?
Lionel Messi will face England for the first time ever in the 2026 World Cup semi-final.The 39-year-old has a storied international career, playing 205 times for Argentina, with not a single one of them coming against the Three Lions. If Argentina lose on Wednesday, it's highly likely England will be the nation who end the great man's international career.He has, however, played against English teams several times in the Champions League during …
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