Match details
England
World CupWhy this tip?
Semi finals are notorious for being tight affairs and generally see teams avoid losing early. Argentina have drawn two of their last three fixtures via extra time. England required extra time to beat Norway in their last outing.
England made it to the semi-finals after quite a controversial goal. The Norway team’s coach was arguing that Jude Bellingham’s equaliser came after the Norway’s keeper’s goal kick struck an overhead spidercam cable.
The manager claimed that the aerial cable altered the ball’s trajectory, though FIFA’s ball technology detected no physical contact. Anyway, here’s what you need to know about this semi-final.
- Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026
- Matchday: Semi-finals
- Date: Wednesday, 15 July 2026
- Kick-off time in EAT: 22:00 EAT
- Venue: Atlanta Stadium, Georgia
Why this match matters
In previous knockout stages, Argentina have had a massive amount of goals in their games. Both teams in their last two knockout stage matches have scored. In addition, England have failed to defend clean sheets throughout the knockout stage but managed to get late scores that allowed them to advance through. This makes the goal hunting markets extremely appealing.
England vs Argentina head-to-head stats
Previous meetings
- England vs Argentina 1:0
- England vs Argentina 3:0
- Argentina vs England 2:1
- Argentina vs England 2:2
- Argentina vs England 0:1
Head-to-head record
Both teams have met several times at the World Cup, with England winning three out of five contests versus Argentina’s two.
England recent form
England’s last five matches
- Norway vs England 1:2
- Mexico vs England 2:3
- England vs DR Congo 2:1
- Panama vs England 0:2
- England vs Ghana 0:0
Goals scored and conceded
In five of their seven knockout stage games, England has scored four or more goals. England has scored four against Croatia, two against Panama, two against DR Congo, three against Mexico and two against Norway.
England has however demonstrated an increased vulnerability as they continue to give up more than one goal per game in their knockout matches. England has given up two goals in each of their knockout games against Croatia and Mexico, one each against DR Congo and Norway. This clearly shows a pattern that England gives up at least one goal to their opponent in each of its knockout stage games.
Key trends from recent matches
In their last six games, Thomas Tuchel’s men have formed a significant trend of consistently producing high-scoring matches, with four out of those six games resulting in totals exceeding 2.5 goals.
Additionally, both teams have successfully scored in each of England’s first three knockout stage matches, reinforcing the country’s growing problem with defending and increasing reliance upon offense.
Additionally, England has demonstrated the ability to overcome deficits in order to earn wins against both DR Congo and Norway.
Argentina recent form
Argentina’s last five matches
- Argentina vs Switzerland 3:1
- Argentina vs Egypt 3:2
- Argentina vs Cabo Verde 3:2
- Jordan vs Argentina 1:3
- Argentina vs Austria 2:0
Goals scored and conceded
Argentina began the tournament with three goals against Algeria prior to netting a total of another three against Jordan and Austria. Their three knockout round matches were just as explosive, as Argentina scored three goals in each match against Cabo Verde, Egypt and Switzerland.
However, while Argentina has displayed impressive offensive skills during the knockout stages, their defense has begun to show signs of cracking under pressure. During the knockout stages, Argentina has allowed two goals apiece against Cabo Verde and Egypt, and one goal against Switzerland.
Key trends from recent matches
Argentinian manager Lionel Scaloni’s team is on an unprecedented run of high-scoring matches, with their last three consecutive knockout round games featuring totals of over 3.5 goals. Scaloni’s team has also created a trend of extending matches into extra-time as they extended the match duration to 120 minutes in each of their last two knockout round games against Cabo Verde and Switzerland. Since the beginning of this tournament, Argentina have consistently found ways to find the back of the net. As such, a shutout or blank score-sheet for Argentina appears unlikely.
Team news
England team news
The performance of England depends greatly upon Jude Bellingham, who has scored six goals in this tournament, including the key equalizer and extra-time winning goal against Norway.
Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon will provide much-needed creative flair, having produced three vital assists each so far.
Harry Kane will lead the charge as the main focal point, equalling Bellingham’s six-goal total and providing crucial guidance from the front.
Argentina team news
Argentina’s Lionel Messi has dominated the competition thus far, scoring a hat trick in the opening match of the competition against Algeria and continued to shape play throughout the tournament. He will be backed by Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez, who scored the deciding extra-time goals against Switzerland.
Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez will need to control the middle of the park and protect the strong central defensive pairing of Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez.
Predicted lineups
England predicted XI
- England probable XI: Pickford, Konsa, Stones, Guéhi, O’Reilly, Anderson, Rice, Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon, Kane
Argentina predicted XI
- Argentina probable XI: Emi Martínez, Molina, Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Tagliafico, De Paul, Paredes, Mac Allister, Fernández, Messi, Alvarez
Best betting markets for England vs Argentina
- Both Teams To Score
Both teams have been leaky at the back in recent knockout stages. England has conceded a goal in every single knockout stage tie. Argentina have let in goals against weaker opposition.
- Over 2.5 Goals
England have allowed many goals in their ties against Mexico and Croatia. All of Argentina’s previous three games have gone over the 2.5 goal mark. Considering the current form of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Lionel Messi, there is no reason why this fixture should produce fewer than three goals.
- Draw at Full Time
Semi finals are notorious for being tight affairs and generally see teams avoid losing early. Argentina have drawn two of their last three fixtures via extra time. England required extra time to beat Norway in their last outing.
- > 4.5 Cards Total
Historically the rivalry between England and Argentina is intense and always leads to a physically charged encounter. Players such as Rodrigo De Paul (Argentina) and England’s midfield pack can often be hot-headed when competing in a high-pressure situation.
Where to bet on England vs Argentina
England vs Argentina prediction
Best bet
The best bet for this match is GG. Argentina’s attack cannot continue to go unnoticed for long periods of time, particularly with an English defense that was breached twice by Mexico and was tested by Norway.
At the same time England possess two players in Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham who are currently in top form and have sufficient quality to create openings for themselves against the Argentine defense, which has looked vulnerable under pressure.
Correct score prediction
A correct score prediction for this match would be a 2-2 draw at full time.
As previously mentioned both teams have displayed a trend towards scoring at least two goals per game within this tournament; furthermore both sides have shown vulnerability in their defenses in the knockout rounds.
Argentina drew 2-2 in normal time against Cabo Verde and England have proven they possess the ability to match most opponents goal-for-goal.
Match analysis and verdict
Thomas Tuchel will attempt to limit his team’s involvement with fast breaks in order to avoid racing back with Argentina’s lightning-fast counter-attacks. However, England’s natural defensive weaknesses will eventually compel him to take a more positive approach.
Argentina will target the midfield areas through Mac Allister and Fernandez, creating opportunities for Messi to find space behind the English lines.
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