Speaker 1: Tonight, the defending champions faced the team that has refused
to die. Argentina versus England Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta,
three pm Eastern, the second semi final of the twenty
twenty six World Cup, and the winner goes to the
final against Spain on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. This matchup
has history. The nineteen eighty six quarter final, the hand
of God, the goal of the Century, the nineteen ninety
eight round of sixteen, David Beckham's red card, the penalty
shootout heartbreak, the twenty twenty two quarter final, another penalty shootout,
another English exit. These teams have met at World Cups before,
and Argentina have won every time. England are still chasing
their first victory over the Albisleste on the biggest stage.
Argentina have been a team of resilience in this tournament.
They came from behind to beat Egypt in the Round
of sixteen, needed extra time to beat Switzerland in the
U S quarter finals, and have looked like a team
that knows how to win even when they are not
at their best. Lionel Messi has been the heartbeat. He
has not been the dominant goal scorer of past tournaments,
but his influence on the game is still undeniable. The
ball finds him, the attack runs through him, and when
Argentina need a moment of magic, he is still the
player they turn to. Juli An Alvarez has been the
breakout star for Argentina in the knockout rounds. His goal
against Switzerland in extra time was the decisive moment that
broke Swiss hearts. Lauta Ro Martinez added a second in
the final minute, and Alexis mac A Listaire, the Liverpool midfielder,
has been the engine in midfield alongside Enzo Fernandez and
Rodrigo de Paul. Argentina's midfield is experienced, tough and tactically intelligent,
but there are questions. The defense, anchored by Christian Romero
and Nicolas Ottomendi, has looked vulnerable at times. Egypt exploited
space behind the fullbacks in the round of sixteen, Switzerland
equalized in the quarter final and held on for forty
minutes with ten men. Spain, who await in the final,
would be a terrifying opponent for this Argentine defense if
they play the way they did against France. England, meanwhile,
have been the survival story of this tournament. Jude Balingham's
stoppage time equalizer against Norway in the quarter final, followed
by his winner three minutes into extra time, was one
of the moments of this World Cup. England were outplayed
for fifty three minutes against Norway, they were trailing, they
looked ordinary, and then Balingham produced two goals that saved
their tournament. Harry Kane has been quiet by his standards.
He has not found the scoring rhythm that made him
one of the world's best strikers. But England's defense, led
by John Stones and Deckland Rice, has been organized and
difficult to break down. Kyle Waker and Kiran trip Eer
have provided width and defensive solidity, and Phil Foxden, when
he has had the ball in dangerous areas, has shown
flashes of the brilliance that won him the Premier League
Player of the Year. The key tactical question is the
midfield battle Argentina's trio of mac ar listre Enzo and
DePaul against England's Rice Balingham, and whoever Gareth Southgate selects
as the third man. If Argentina can control possession and
force England to Chase, Messi will have time to pick
passes in the final third. If England can disrupt Argentina's
rhythm and turn the game into a physical battle, their
athleticism could overwhelm Argentina's aging corps. Set pieces could be decisive.
England have been dangerous from corners and free kicks throughout
this tournament. Argentina's defense has struggled with aerial balls at times.
If England get a dead ball situation in a dangerous area,
Stones or Caine could be the difference. And then there
is the Messi factor. At thirty nine years old, this
is almost certainly his last World Cup. He has carried
Argentina to a Copra America, to a World Cup title
in twenty twenty two, and now to another semifinal. One
more win and he has a chance to defend that title.
Two more wins and he has a chance to do
something no player has ever done, win consecutive World Cups
as the centerpiece of his national team. But England have Becklingham.
At twenty three years old, he has already produced two
of the most important goals in English World Cup history.
He is fearless, he is clutch, and he is the
reason England are still alive. If he has another moment
like the one against Norway, England could finally break their
Argentina curse. The winner face this is Spain in the
final on Sunday. Spain have been the best team in
this tournament. Whoever comes out of Atlanta tonight will be
the underdog at MetLife Stadium, but both Argentina and England
have shown they can win when it matters most. We
will be back tomorrow morning to break down whatever happens
at Mercedes Benz Stadium. Quick note This show is produced
with the help of AI