2026 FIFA World Cup: Semifinals - Argentina vs. England

This is crazy.. Messi is the true definition of a "one man army", even at 39..

SPAIN
Most goals - Oyarzabal
Most assists - Cucurella
Successful dribbles - Yamal
Most chances created - Baena
Most big chances created - Cucurella

FRANCE
Most goals - Mbappe
Most assists - Olise
Successful dribbles - Barcola
Most big chances created - Olise
Most chances created - Mbappe

ENGLAND
Most goals - Kane / Bellingham
Most assists - Gordon
Successful dribbles - Eze
Most chances created - Bellingham
Most big chances created - Declan Rice

ARGENTINA
Most goals - Messi
Most assists - Messi
Successful dribbles - Messi
Most chances created - Messi
Most big chances created - Messi

2076563177517850638 is not a valid tweet id

 

I wish he just drops De Paul, the rest is fixable

 

Ref forgot to yellow card the Cape Verde player that did the exact same thing, delaying the game far longer than Lautaro did. Also forgot to yellow card the Egyptian for removing his shirt.

 

I always knew what we got with Di Maria, im a Di Maria defender and fan since 2010, when i chanted "Di Maria rima con categoría" , i knew he was different and our most important player after Messi. But i think everyone realized what Di Maria was in 2021 Copa at the latest, he literally scored the goal that made us champs against Brazil (and ended our drought of trophies), and then he kept being THE man in the most important matches until he retired. What a legend! I think every argentinian or fan knows that.

 

In one way not that good to see. The others really have to step it up create chances for Messi and themselves and show some belief in their own abilities. Julian is world class as is Licha and Cuti and Enzo is on the edge of it. They really need to step it up on Wednesday give it everything.

 

Shameless hypocrisy. There was a very nasty challenge of Nico G by Jashari who also stamped placed his foot deliberately on his other leg. Not even a card. These moaning whingers. It would be so satisfying to see them all shut up if we can bundle them out of the tournament.

 

That chip is designed only to sense Croatian hair not thick high tensile steel cables. The ball clearly deviated. That referee Turpin should be dropped from international officiating. He was appallingly bad.

 

It's just a football song with good rhyme. The players probably found it cool and decided to sing it as a tribute to the fans (it was made recently). The reference to the Malvinas is like less than one line as well, I don't think the players are thinking too deeply about it.
It's not comparable to just shouting "Agincourt" and nothing else because in that case it's obvious the whole point is making a statement about that historical event, not just singing a catchy football song.

 

About the England rivalry, theres nothing like it. You grow up in Argentina chanting "el que no salta es un inglés" in every situation, las Malvinas are in every futbol chant there has been chanted for decades to the National Team, the hand of god and the Maradona best goal of or times are ingrained in argentinians blood. There really is nothing quite like it. I dont think there is a rivalry quite like this, even if we havent played eachother in so long at the international level. Even the muchachos know theres nothing quite like it, and this game is gonna be war.

Sorry, it is what it is. It is like that here in argentina.

 

What’s up with this baboon guy… he seems obsessed with this place. Always butting in…

I understand but Scaloni did make changes in the semis in 22. He adjusted properly, did the same in the quarters and the final as well. He can’t go on without making the proper tweaks.

 

Yeah, definitely.

My main concern is fatigue. At first, I thought sitting back against Switzerland was part of Argentina’s game plan, even though they looked very passive compared to previous games. But as the game progressed, especially in the second half, I began to realize that they simply had no energy left. Seeing Messi rarely attempting dribbles and mostly going for simple passes, made me feel that their legs might genuinely be gone.

Still, I hope the semi being against England in a WC semifinal provides extra motivation. They will certainly need it, because England are a more physical side.

 

It was both tactical and fatigue imo. Swiss were pressing our players real well and we didn't had a vertical threat to punish this high press from them. The fatigue from the players didn't help at all to which Scaloni deserves constructive criticism from a squad management perspective.

Motivation vs England helps massively but they still won't be at their 100% best. Especially if there are no changes in midfield.

 

Scaloni didn’t make changes until close to the 80th minute. It’s absolutely crazy to play like this… We were up a man from the 72nd minute… Scaloni was standing having look on his face wondering if he wanted to order pasta or steak…

 

Scaloni already said in press conference that it's just a football match and nothing else.

Also, many of our players have english children and prefer to avoid framing the rivalry from a political pov: https://www.infobae.com/deportes/20...ta-es-un-ingles-en-los-partidos-de-argentina/


Foreigners like babaorum don't get the argentinian football song culture. It's 95% about singing catchy stuff and/or hyping your team up, not making political statements or being historically accurate.

 

The amount of disrespect these effers are showing to Argentina is really starting to wind me up. John Terry, and his entire family, are scum (Google it)

🚨🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 John Terry: “Argentina DOESN'T worry me. I don’t look at Argentina and think they’re better than us. Player for player, we’re BETTER than Argentina." @FIFAcom pic.twitter.com/QlFMH2N0yU

— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) July 13, 2026

 

Hear let me shout Crecy and Poitiers.......and Bleneheim......

 

Hopefully the horrible hunt gets those words stuffed down it's throat. Its been a nasty little racist in the past and after 9/11 with American citizens in the terminal shouting and behaving disgracefully along with Lampard and several others. A horrible hunt.

 

I keep thinking even in the CA24 he's been very lucky to have this group of players.

I reckon we would be idolizing dear Alejandro but luck didn't work out for him. Sabella knew what he was doing. Scaloni I don't think so.

As I said that match against the Swiss I was going mental well before they even equalized. And what is he doing standing with his arms folded like a statue.

 

No matter the motivation I'm afraid if the batteries are low there is nothing they can do. He is mad if this is the case because he'll be providing a freebie to England.

His job is to do the best for the selecciion and the nation. Which means changes are necessary. I reckon he is a coward. He lucked out on a formula and foolishly thinks it will keep working.