There’s arguably no bigger rivalry at the FIFA World Cup<\/a> than Argentina vs. England.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n From Diego Maradona’s iconic “Hand of God<\/a>” and “Goal of the Century<\/a>“, separated by a mere four minutes during the 1986 quarterfinals, to LA Galaxy<\/a> legend David Beckham’s infamous 1998 red card<\/a>, to his redemption<\/a> four years later, La Albiceleste and the Three Lions always bring fireworks.\u00a0<\/p>\n On Wednesday, Lionel Messi<\/a> will experience this explosive rivalry for the first time when Argentina meet England in the 2026 World Cup semifinals (3 pm ET | FOX, Telemundo, Peacock).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n England. Argentina. For a spot in the final. \ud83c\udf7f pic.twitter.com\/Vo7555aA9O<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 12, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Messi, who’s made a record 205 appearances for Argentina, has never faced England with La Albiceleste \u2013 further raising the stakes for Inter Miami CF<\/a>‘s superstar No. 10.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe truth is, it\u2019s special. It\u2019s a special match because it\u2019s my first time. I\u2019ve played against everyone except England,” Messi told reporters after Saturday’s 3-1 extra-time quarterfinal win<\/a> over Switzerland.<\/p>\n “And it\u2019s special, as I said before, because they\u2019re a big team, a powerhouse.”<\/p>\n With a win over England, Messi and Argentina would advance to Sunday’s final against Spain, bringing the defending champions one step closer to becoming the first team in 64 years to win back-to-back World Cup titles.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u00a1\u00a1\u00a1GOLAAAAAZO DE ARGENTINA!!! \u00a1\u00a1\u00a1GOLAAAZO DE LIONEL ANDR\u00c9S MESSI!!! \u00a1\u00a1\u00a1APARECI\u00d3 EL 10!!! <\/p>\n \u00a1TREMENDO GOLAZO! Firma un zurdazo dentro del \u00e1rea para empatar el duelo ante Egipto. pic.twitter.com\/ioUY9KoDkB<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u2014 Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) July 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Messi and an A-list supporting cast of Juli\u00e1n \u00c1lvarez, Lautaro Mart\u00ednez and Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul<\/a> will have their work cut out for them at Atlanta Stadium.\u00a0<\/p>\n England boast world-class stars of their own, including all-time leading goal scorer Harry Kane, who has 6g\/1a this summer.<\/p>\n Kane is matched by Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, the hero of the knockout stages with back-to-back braces that have fueled the Three Lions’ semifinal run.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s always nice to play against teams like that, in matches like this, and especially in the semifinals of a World Cup,” added Messi, who has 8g\/2a during a historic tournament amid producing an MLS-best 20 goal contributions (12g\/8a) for Miami this season.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n MESSI GOOOAAL TO GIVE ARGENTINA THE LEAD \ud83d\udc10<\/p>\n Lionel Messi scores his 20th career FIFA World Cup goal to make it 1-0 over Cape Verde! pic.twitter.com\/ewqsqO5Sl9<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
Unprecedented matchup<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Star power<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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