England are on a collision course with Lionel Messi and Argentina in a World Cup semi-final grudge match, billed as one of the biggest in international football history. After a 2-1 quarter-final win over Norway in Miami, Thomas Tuchel's team will face the reigning champions in Atlanta on Wednesday for a place in the final against France or Spain.
First competitive meeting since 2002
It will be the first time the two nations have met in a competitive match since the 2002 World Cup in Japan, when David Beckham scored the winning penalty. It is also the first time 39-year-old Messi, arguably the greatest male player of all time and probably playing in his final World Cup, will face England.
David Beckham, president and co-owner of Inter Miami, was in the crowd at Miami Stadium on Saturday night with his wife Victoria. The former England captain was spotted singing along to Hey Jude after the game in honour of two-goal hero Jude Bellingham. Beckham wrote on Instagram: "What a moment in Miami. I'm so proud of the team tonight reaching the semi-final of the World Cup and to celebrate with my family was so special … Thank you England for giving our country these moments."
Bellingham heroics and controversy
Bellingham was the hero again, scoring the winner in extra time after Andreas Schjelderup had given Norway the lead. His equaliser at the end of the first half was controversial, with replays appearing to show a Norway goal-kick hitting an overhead television cable. Fifa released a statement saying a sensor in the ball showed no evidence of contact, but Norway coach Ståle Solbakken claimed it created "a misunderstanding among our players".
Tuchel criticised his players' performance, saying they were "lucky" despite becoming only the fourth England manager to reach a World Cup semi-final, after Alf Ramsey, Bobby Robson and Gareth Southgate. Bellingham responded with a withering line: "Maybe he doesn't know what it's like to play in those kind of conditions against Erling Haaland, [Martin] Ødegaard, [Antonio] Nusa, [Alexander] Sørloth" – an apparent dig at Tuchel's lack of top-level playing experience after retiring at 25 due to a knee injury.
Tuchel's intensity and Argentina's path
Tuchel, who extended his contract until 2028 before the World Cup, said he was enjoying the ride. "It's intense. I'm enjoying it a lot. I feel very alive in these moments. I enjoy it a lot but having a knockout match every three, four days is a new level of demand and a new level of emotional rollercoaster. I admit that. So I also need a bit of time now. We will give the players [Sunday] full recovery and our preparation for the match with the staff starts at the latest in the afternoon."
Argentina booked their semi-final spot by beating 10-man Switzerland in Kansas City. Dressing room footage showed players chanting an obscene song referencing the Falklands War and pledging to win for "Las Malvinas, por Diego [Maradona] and por la ultima de Leo [Messi]" – "for the Falklands, for Diego and for Leo's last".
Historic rivalry and fan presence
This will be the sixth World Cup meeting between England and Argentina, but the first at the semi-final stage. England won in 1962 and 1966, while Argentina triumphed in 1986 (Maradona's Hand of God goal) and 1998 (penalties). Beckham's penalty in 2002 gave England a group-stage win. More than 15,000 England fans are thought to have attended the Miami game, with many planning to stay in the US. Authorities in Georgia are braced for potential flashpoints, given thousands of Argentina fans have also made the trip.
