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England vs Argentina: FIFA World Cup semifinal – Messi, Kane and prediction
Years of political history and football rivalry will collide in Atlanta when England face Argentina in a World Cup semifinal for the ages.
From the controversial “Hand of God” goal by Diego Maradona in 1986 to David Beckham being red-carded for kicking Diego Simeone in 1998, sporting contests between England and Argentina are often theatrical, tense and tricky.
Then, there is also the lingering sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands.
Divided by geography and conflict, England and Argentina are vastly different in many ways, yet at this World Cup, they have at least one thing in common – both have made a habit of surviving on the edge.
For England, the plan is simple: Find a way to stop the magical force of Lionel Messi and reach their first final in six decades.
And for Argentina? To grind again and chase history in back-to-back finals.
Here’s everything you need to know about this semifinal:
How did England and Argentina reach the semifinals?
England topped Group L with seven points, beating Croatia and Panama and drawing with Ghana. They needed a second-half comeback to beat the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the round of 32 and knocked out co-hosts Mexico3-2 in a scintillating last-16 contest at the iconic Azteca Stadium.
In the quarterfinals, they came from a goal down to beat Norway 2-1 in extra time.
Argentina had a strong showing in the first round, topping Group J by beating Algeria, Austria and Jordan. In the round of 32, they were pushed to their limits before squeezing past Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time, and came from two goals down to beat Egypt 3-2 in a controversial last-16 contest which drew allegations of officiating bias.
Against Switzerland in the quarterfinals, they again played a full 120 minutes before securing a 3-1 win.
At last, Messi meets England
From winning the World Cup to Copa America, lifting the Champions League trophy to the Ballon d’Or, and kissing the Golden Ball, Messi has achieved almost everything possible in football.
But in his 21 years playing for Argentina, there is one thing he has not done: face England.
The 39-year-old forward will play against the Three Lions for the first time, 21 years on from the red card he received in the early days of his career, which denied him the chance in a 2005 friendly.
“I have played against everyone except England, and it is special because they are a major nation, a powerhouse, and it is always nice to play against a side like that, especially in a World Cup semifinal,” Messi said.
With eight goals in six matches, Messi is enjoying a World Cup campaign like no other as he bids for his first Golden Boot. As the captain, he is also leading Argentina’s charge to become the first team to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962.
Should they beat England, Argentina would be in their third final in four World Cups, and Messi could follow in the footsteps of Brazil’s great, Cafu, who played in three in a row from 1994 to 2002 – even Maradona only ever played in two.
“Getting to another semifinal is not a normal, mundane thing, so this is something we should really enjoy because we don’t know if it will happen again,” Messi said.
Pickford backs England to keep cool in tense clash
Generations in England have not seen their team lift a major trophy. Their only success came when hosting the 1966 World Cup.
This current squad – headlined by the dynamic duo of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham – is, however, within touching distance of making history, by not only winning a second trophy, but a first on foreign soil.
Before the game, though, Thomas Tuchel’s side knows the pressure is firmly on them, but goalkeeper Jordan Pickford believes the team can cope.
“You’ve seen throughout the tournament our desire to win tackles. We’ve not got into any scuffles or anything,” he said on Monday.
“We’ve been very well respected within the game. Decisions go our way [or] they don’t go our way, we just reset, we go again, and we let the football do the talking.”
England, fourth in the FIFA rankings, two spots below Argentina, are set to feature in a fourth semifinal in the last five major tournaments.
England vs Argentina predictions
As of Tuesday, Opta’s supercomputer gives England a 39.1 percent probability of winning in regulation time, while Argentina’s chances of winning are 31.6 percent.
The model estimates a 29.3 percent probability of the game going to extra time.
Who is the referee for England vs Argentina?
- Referee: Ismail Elfath (US)
- Assistant referee 1: Corey Parker (US)
- Assistant referee 2: Kyle Atkins (US)
- Fourth official: Maurizio Mariani (Italy)
- Reserve assistant referee: Daniele Bindoni (Italy)
Where is England vs Argentina being played?
England will play Argentina in the second semifinal at Atlanta Stadium, commonly known as Mercedes-Benz Stadium, in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. It is the last of the seven World Cup matches held at this venue, which has a capacity of 68,239 for the tournament.
The stadium, boasting a retractable roof and a 360-degree halo video display, undoubtedly has the most space-age architecture of the 16 host cities.
What is the weather forecast for Atlanta?
AccuWeather forecasts rain on Wednesday afternoon. “Some sun with a thundery shower,” it says.
England vs Argentina: Head-to-head
Overall, they have met 14 times in competitive and friendly matches.
England lead the head-to-head record with six wins, while Argentina have three. Five games ended in a draw.
England vs Argentina: Past results
- England 3-2 Argentina (International friendly, 2005)
- England 1-0 Argentina (World Cup 2002, group stage)
- England 0-0 Argentina (International friendly, 2000)
- Argentina 2-2 England (4-3 on penalties, World Cup 1998, round of 16)
- England 2-2 Argentina (Challenge Cup, 1991)
The winner of the semifinal between Argentina and England will face Spain in Sunday’s final at New York New Jersey Stadium.
England vs Argentina: Team news
England midfielder Declan Rice, who has been struggling with illness, is a doubt, while veteran player Jordan Henderson is out with a wrist injury.
No injuries reported in the Argentina camp.
England’s predicted lineup
(4-1-3-2): Pickford; Konsa, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane
Argentina’s predicted lineup
(4-1-3-2): Martinez; Molina, Romero, Lisandro, Tagliafico; Paredes; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Messi, Alvarez
[Aljazeera]
Leg-spinner Mason Crane could play for England for the first time in eight years after being recalled for the one-day international tri-series in Pakistan.
The 29-year-old won his only Test cap against Australia in Sydney in 2018 and is now given an opportunity in the series which also involves Sri Lanka next month.
Crane, who also played two T20 internationals in 2017, could also push his case in the fight to be England’s number one spinner in Test cricket.
Sam Curran and Adil Rashid both return after injuries, and uncapped pair James Coles and Henry Crocombe are included.
Jos Buttler is out with the hamstring injury he sustained last week, while Jacob Bethell is continuing his recovery from knee surgery.
Brydon Carse, who is under an investigation from the Cricket Regulator following an incident outside a nightclub in Derby in August, remains absent.
England are on a diet of white-ball cricket until three Tests in South Africa in December as they build up to the 50-over World Cup in southern Africa next year.
The tri-series in Pakistan involves the three teams taking part playing each other twice, with the top two advancing to the final. Following the trip to Pakistan, England play three one-day internationals and five T20s in Australia in November.
As England continue to shape their backroom staff following the arrival of Stephen Fleming as Test coach, Jeetan Patel, Mike Yardy, David Saker and Carl Hopkinson will assist white-ball head coach Brendon McCullum in Pakistan.
That means Marcus Trescothick, who took temporary charge of the Test team for the series against Pakistan in the home summer, misses the trip.
It is understood the make-up of the coaching staff is part of a plan to rotate the coaches – fielding coach Sarah Taylor and fast-bowling coach Tim Southee are also not going to Pakistan.
All of Trescothick, Taylor and Southee are likely to be part of England’s coaching team for other tours this winter.
England squad for tri-series in Pakistan:
Harry Brook (Yorkshire – captain), Gus Atkinson (Surrey), Sonny Baker (Hampshire), Tom Banton (Somerset), James Coles (Sussex), Jordan Cox (Essex), Mason Crane (Glamorgan), Henry Crocombe (Sussex), Sam Curran (Surrey), Liam Dawson (Hampshire), Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire), Will Jacks (Surrey), Jamie Overton (Surrey), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Josh Tongue (Nottinghamshire).
(BBC)
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I extend my heartfelt wishes to all the sons and daughters of our country for a Happy World Children’s Day – President
Children’s Day Message from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake:
“Children are the most valuable asset of a nation. Ensuring their physical and mental well-being and creating an environment conducive to their proper development is a primary responsibility of any government. Children’s imagination, aspirations and creativity will determine the shape and colour of the country tomorrow. The country we build for children must not merely be a country prepared to be handed over to them in the future; it must be a country that gives space to their dreams today, listens to their voices and provides opportunities for them to realise their potential.
For the best interests of children, we are taking the necessary steps to ensure equal access to education, guidance, social protection, opportunities for sport, leisure and recreation, proper nutrition and access to healthcare, while protecting children from all forms of violence and discrimination and safeguarding their rights.
Race, religion, economic status, geographical background or any other circumstance should not be a barrier to any child’s education or proper development. Every child should have equal and fair opportunities to realise their potential, pursue their dreams and create the future they wish for themselves. To this end, we have already begun the process of reforming the education system in Sri Lanka, transforming it towards a skills-based system suited to the new world, one that does not place a burden on parents or cause distress to children.
Our aim is to ensure that no child is left behind in the new Sri Lanka we are building, and to provide every child with opportunities for development in a safe environment. It should be emphasised that the fundamental objective of all the programmes being implemented, from expanding educational scholarships to securing the future of children growing up in child development centres and those in need of care, is to create a dignified and secure tomorrow for every child in the country.
It is the aspiration of every parent to give their children a better life than the one they themselves experienced. We are currently steering the country’s economy towards a correct and stable direction in order to provide children with a safe and happy childhood, free from the shadows of an unstable economy. At the same time, we have launched the national operation “A Nation United” (Ratama Ekata), bringing everyone together to free the younger generation from the menace of illicit drugs.
At a time when we are working towards the goal of building a safe and better country for children, I greatly appreciate the initiative of the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs in organising this year’s World Children’s Day celebrations under the theme “Strong Minds – Enriched Children”, declaring a National Children’s Day Week and conducting a range of meaningful programmes aimed at strengthening children’s rights, well-being, protection, education and freedom.
I extend my heartfelt wishes to all the sons and daughters of our country for a Happy World Children’s Day”.
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