England have made it through to the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup, and an old familiar foe stands in their way of a place in the final. Argentina have clashed with the Three Lions on five previous occasions, all of which were played at World Cups.
England lead the head-to-head record by three wins to two, and the 1966 World Cup winners claimed the bragging rights the last time the two nations locked horns back in the Group Stage of the 2002 World Cup, winning by a single goal to nil.
We're predicting another close and competitive 90 minutes plus when England and Argentina take to the pitch in Atlanta on Wednesday night. Neither side has lost at the 2026 World Cup, with both teams winning four of their six matches within 90 minutes and being held to draws on two occasions. England went on to beat Norway in extra time, and Argentina needed extra time in two of their knockout ties against Cape Verde and Switzerland.
Argentina's defence has looked very questionable at times, despite starting the competition with back-to-back clean sheets. The South Americans were tested far more than anyone expected in their knockout games against Cape Verde and Egypt, with both games needing dramatic late goals to spare Argentina's blushes.
England are yet to put in a really high-standard performance at the 2026 World Cup, with their best 90 minutes coming at the Azteca Stadium in the 3-2 win over Mexico. Many will be hoping that the best is yet to come for Thomas Tuchel's side, who, like Argentina, have only kept two clean sheets in this tournament.
We're expecting goals in this game as four of England's six outings so far at the World Cup have produced over 2.5 goals, while five of Argentina's six matches have also witnessed three or more goals. Three of the five previous encounters between these two countries also ended with over 2.5 goals being scored, but there have never been more than four goals scored in this fixture.
We have to expect both goalkeepers to pick the ball out of the back of their own net on Wednesday night as four of England's and four of Argentina's six outings at the 2026 World Cup have produced goals at both ends of the pitch. While Argentina's defence has come under much scrutiny, so have some of the defending and goalkeeping of the England team.
We're backing this game to end in a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes, but we have a sneaking suspicion that England will be the side progressing through to the final.
England 2-2 Argentina
