England vs Argentina: Messi Chasing a 3rd Final

by Tyler Doty | by Tyler Doty

image England vs Argentina: Messi Chasing a 3rd Final
Today in Atlanta, we'll find out whether England or Argentina will face Spain in the 2026 World Cup Final next Sunday in New York. It's a blockbuster matchup between two teams with a storied rivalry, and Lionel Messi will face the Three Lions for the first time in his career as he looks to reach his 3rd World Cup final.
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England vs Argentina: a classic matchup for a spot in the final

Will England reach a World Cup final for the first time in 60 years? The Three Lions believe they have the squad to get it done, and our experts see Thomas Tuchel's side keeping neck and neck with the defending champions in this semifinal (see our England vs Argentina prediction).

While not always dominant, England has shown real grit to reach the final four of this 2026 World Cup. Hard-fought wins over DR Congo (2-1), Mexico (3-2), and Norway (2-1 in extra time) have shown that Harry Kane and company can stay patient and dig in as a team to get past dangerous opponents. Calm and confident, England looks ready to take on the defending champions for a spot in the final.

Lionel Messi is the all-time leader in both goals and assists in World Cup history.

Champions in Qatar back in 2022, Argentina is still in the hunt to go back-to-back in 2026. Like their opponents tonight, La Albiceleste has had to grind through this World Cup, with nothing coming easy for Lionel Scaloni's squad.

Argentina's own path to the semis went down to the wire too, with wins over Cape Verde (3-2 in extra time), Egypt (3-2), and Switzerland (3-1 in extra time) that saw Messi's teammates battle through adversity and catch a few breaks along the way. After Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024, plus the 2022 World Cup, Argentina is closing in on another major final — a level of consistency that's remarkable at this stage of the sport.

Lionel Messi: a first-time test against the Three Lions

Matchups between Argentina and England have produced some of soccer's most iconic moments, and this rivalry, which spills over from the pitch into geopolitics as well, has delivered plenty of history, from Maradona's Hand of God and Goal of the Century in 1986 to David Beckham's red card in 1998 that was followed by Argentina advancing on penalties.

Lionel Messi knows that history well. But despite two decades at the top of the sport, the 39-year-old will face England for the very first time in his career tonight. It's a matchup everyone's been waiting for (check out our 2026 World Cup predictions), and one the English tabloids are hoping ends with the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's international retirement.

Even if this semifinal is "just a soccer match" on paper, Messi isn't about to let this moment slip by. As the all-time World Cup leader in goals (21) and assists (10), the Argentine forward keeps piling up the numbers at this 2026 World Cup. Messi has been the difference-maker in every match Argentina has played so far in this tournament, and he knows tonight's outcome may largely come down to his performance. But in what could be some of his final moments wearing the Argentina jersey, Messi isn't likely to miss his date with history in Atlanta.