World Cup semifinal live: England-Argentina in a battle

England and Argentina are meeting for the right to play Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. Follow below for live updates.

Halftime analysis 📋

➡️ On a knife-edge: The technical level of this match hasn't been anything close to what we saw from Spain yesterday, but that hasn't made it any less intriguing. Neither goalkeeper was tested in the first half - there wasn't a single shot on target - but the pace of play has been incredible, the crowd noise brilliant, and the physicality undeniable. The two teams combined for 19 fouls in a scrappy opening stanza. This type of football almost certainly suits Argentina more than England, but the Three Lions aren't backing down. You can't take your eyes off this game. It's a riveting battle.

➡️Changes coming?: England manager Thomas Tuchel was furiously scribbling notes on the bench in the closing minutes of the first half. Will he make some early changes? Morgan Rogers has been relatively quiet, and he's constantly tucking inside from the right wing. That's helping England have numbers in the center of the pitch, which is crucial, but it's also robbing the Three Lions of an outlet out wide, where Nicolas Tagliafico could be susceptible if he's isolated against a rapid winger. Interesting dilemma for Tuchel to try and figure out.

➡️ Argentina's pressure: England wants to try and build up play slowly from the back, but Argentina is pressing extremely high when Jordan Pickford has the ball, and that's forcing the England netminder to launch the ball long. Argentina has dealt with those long balls well, for the most part, but England did manage to win some second balls in midfield after the initial clearance.

Halftime: England 0, Argentina 0

Nothing to separate the two teams after an intense 45 minutes.

1st yellow card 🟨

37th minute: It's popping off now. Lionel Messi springs to life for the first time in the match, somehow wriggling through multiple tackles before being wiped out by Elliot Anderson, who gets the game's first yellow card. The Argentina players, unsurprisingly, race to the defense of their captain, and a scrum ensues. From the resulting free-kick, Enzo Fernandez lets a long-range shot fly that just goes over the crossbar. The game is really coming to life now.

Tuchel apoplectic

29th minute: England boss Thomas Tuchel is letting the fourth official hear it on the touchline after multiple calls in quick succession go against his side.

11 fouls, 0 shots

25th minute: We've hit the first-half hydration break, with no shots on target - or even shot attempts - to speak of in Atlanta. That hasn't dampened the mood of the crowd, though; it's a raucous atmosphere. The two teams are embracing the physical nature of the game, combining for 11 fouls. Neither side is allowing the other an inch out there.

Calm heads needed

18th minute: Referee Ismail Elfath is trying to let them play in Atlanta. That likely favors Argentina's more physical approach, but England is keeping its cool thus far and trying to find openings between the lines.

It's getting heated

12th minute: The tackles - and fouls - are flying in right now, and the benches have both been up to remonstrate with the officials. Elliot Anderson has been an apparent early target of the Argentine aggression; the Manchester City-bound midfielder has already been on the receiving end of multiple fouls. It'll be a minor miracle if there isn't a yellow card handed out very soon.

Chippy start

3rd minute: Enzo Fernandez and Leandro Paredes are making their presence known with some early fouls, trying to get England's midfielders off their game right from the opening whistle. This one's already on the edge. Referee Ismail Elfath has a big task on his hands to keep a lid on the contest.

1st half underway

Here we go. Will it be England or Argentina to join Spain in the World Cup final? We're about to find out.

Pregame notes

Starting XIs

England (4-2-3-1) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Pickford; James, Stones, Guehi, Spence; Rice, Anderson; Rogers, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane

Argentina (4-4-2) 🇦🇷

E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, L. Martinez, Tagliafico; Simeone, Paredes, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Messi, Alvarez

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England manager Thomas Tuchel is making three changes to his lineup, with Reece James and Djed Spence getting rewarded for their strong cameo appearances in the quarterfinal win over Norway. Nico O'Reilly and Ezri Konsa drop to the bench, with James and Spence assuming the full-back roles. Up front, Morgan Rogers replaces Noni Madueke. Vital midfielder Declan Rice has overcome an illness to start against Argentina.

Spence's inclusion is the biggest call from Tuchel. The Tottenham full-back, not unlike compatriot Dan Burn, has become something of a cult hero for England in the knockout stages.

Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has made one change from his quarterfinal XI, replacing veteran midfielder Rodrigo De Paul with the more youthful exuberance of Atletico Madrid's Giuliano Simeone.

Weight of history

Somewhat incredibly, there is no historical precedent to call upon as it relates to Lionel Messi playing against England. The Argentine magician will face the Three Lions for the first time in his career today, though his record against English sides at club level is, predictably, spectacular.

From every other perspective, however, the match is shrouded in history.

England manager Thomas Tuchel and his players insist they're unfazed by the historical narratives that have taken up so much of the pregame discussion.

The two nations have met five previous times at the World Cup, with the infamous 1986 quarterfinal featuring Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" and his "Goal of the Century" the standout encounter; David Beckham's red card against the Albiceleste 12 years later also hangs over Wednesday's contest.

Argentina, perhaps unsurprisingly, is going in the complete opposite direction, with midfielder Alexis Mac Allister leaning into the history of the encounter and saying his team should channel the spirit of the late Maradona.

For both sides, managing the moment in Atlanta will be just as important as their tactical and technical performances.

How to watch

United States 🇺🇸

English: Fox, FS1, and the Fox One app
Spanish: Telemundo and Universo

Canada 🇨🇦

English: TSN (1/3/4/5), CTV, and Crave
French: RDS

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