Spain books World Cup final spot as Argentina and England prepare to clash
Spain swept aside France in yesterday’s semifinal to reach the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, defying pre-match predictions and leaving Didier Deschamps to reflect on the end of his era. The outgoing France manager said, “The disappointment is immense. This is a group of competitors and seeing the journey end hurts.” Deschamps, 57, had been expected to chase a third final in four tournaments in what was his last summer in charge, after winning the 2018 title and finishing runner-up in 2022.
Messi meets England for the first time
Later today in Atlanta, Argentina faces England in a semifinal loaded with history, and for Lionel Messi it is uncharted territory. Across 205 appearances for Argentina, the 39-year-old has never played England, yet he arrives as the tournament’s leading threat with 33 attempts on goal and 17 from outside the penalty area. He has scored eight goals and repeatedly rescued Argentina with a goal, assist, or decisive piece of skill.
Messi has adapted his game approaching 40, walking large stretches to conserve energy and find space before exploding into action. Opta records him as the only player at this World Cup to cover 5km while walking in a match, a feat he has managed twice. England manager Thomas Tuchel warned against reading that as laziness, telling ITV Sports, “He can explode in every minute. He’s a silent killer. He can also kill you while he’s walking. You can never fall asleep. You can never underestimate the burst of energy. We have to find a way to stop it and to overcome it. We are not here to congratulate him. We are not here to build him a throne. We’re here to take the game away from him.”
Messi stays grounded on the prospect of a first England meeting. “It’s special because they’re a great team, a powerhouse, and it’s always nice to play a team like that, a match of this kind,” he told reporters. With France and Kylian Mbappé eliminated, Messi is level with the French striker on goals and favored for the Golden Boot with one or two matches remaining.
England’s cautious path and Tuchel’s demand
England has leaned on defensive structure through the knockout rounds, often seizing a lead through Harry Kane or Jude Bellingham before defending stubbornly. Tuchel wants more against an Argentina side that has scored the most goals in the tournament (17) and is led by Messi. The nation, still haunted by two recent major final losses and 60 years since its only title in 1966, watches with hope mixed with familiar fear.
Argentina’s uneven defense of its crown
Most of Argentina’s squad won the 2022 World Cup, but the defending champion has not clicked in North America. It needed extra time against Cape Verde, trailed Egypt 2-0 before a late comeback 11 minutes from elimination, and benefited from a dubious red card against Switzerland in the quarterfinal. Manager Lionel Scaloni said, “We’re facing great players, two of the best in the world. We will try our best to neutralize them. We have our weapons and we will try to prevent them from having a good game.” Against England, the Argentines cannot rely on fortune.
A rivalry deeper than the pitch
England and Argentina last met in a 2005 Geneva friendly won 3-2 by England, but the competitive record carries decades of friction. England beat Argentina 1-0 in 1966 amid a Rattín dismissal and offside dispute, then lost the 1986 quarterfinal to Maradona’s “Hand of God” and “Goal of the Century” after the Falklands War. At France 1998, Michael Owen scored a wondergoal and David Beckham was sent off in a penalty loss; Beckham scored the decider in a 2002 group win.
Security and fan conduct in Atlanta
The Atlanta Police Department said it has deployed additional personnel and resources strategically to ensure a safe experience, calling the adjustments routine for an event of this magnitude. Argentina’s security minister Alejandra Monteoliva told Reuters that today’s match will be the first at this World Cup where both fan groups enter through separate stadium entrances. The Football Supporters’ Association urged England fans to sustain recent good behavior, stating the outdated stereotypes do not define them and asking supporters to represent the team with pride.