England set to face Messi and Argentina in World Cup semi-final

After England’s players rode their luck against Norway in the quarter-finals, they spent Sunday recuperating at their base in Kansas City as thoughts turned to facing Argentina in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday. This match is billed as one of the biggest grudge matches in the history of international football, marking the first time the two countries have met in a competitive match since the 2002 World Cup in Japan.

England, led by manager Thomas Tuchel, will take on the reigning champions on an emotionally charged occasion in Atlanta for a chance to play France or Spain in the final. This match will be particularly significant as it features Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest male player of all time, in what is likely his final World Cup appearance against England.

David Beckham, president and co-owner of Major League Soccer club Inter Miami, attended the England quarter-final victory over Norway. He was in the crowd at Miami Stadium with his wife, Victoria, and other family members. Beckham was seen celebrating England’s 2-1 victory, during which Jude Bellingham scored the winner in extra time after Norway had initially taken the lead. After the game, Beckham shared on Instagram how proud he was of the team for reaching the semi-finals and how special it was to celebrate with his family.

Replays of the quarter-final showed controversy surrounding Bellingham’s equalising goal after a perceived miscommunication regarding a goal-kick hitting a television cable, though FIFA stated there was no evidence of such. Ståle Solbakken, Norway’s head coach, echoed these sentiments, arguing it misled his players. Tuchel criticized his team's performance, claiming they were “lucky” to win but acknowledged this status marked him as only the fourth England manager to reach the last four of the World Cup.

Bellingham's response to Tuchel's comments was pointed, highlighting the pressure faced in matches against players like Erling Haaland and others, suggesting Tuchel’s lack of playing experience might limit his understanding. Tuchel, whose contract runs until 2028, will need to smooth things over with key players like Bellingham ahead of the monumental match against Argentina.

In preparation for the semi-final, Argentina secured their spot by beating 10-man Switzerland, with their players celebrating in the dressing room by chanting a song referencing the Falklands War in 1982, pledging to win the World Cup “for Las Malvinas, for Diego, and for Leo’s last.” With such high stakes and historical tension, the stage is set for a memorable encounter.