Preparations are underway for England’s seismic semi-final with Argentina as Thomas Tuchel looks to guide the country to a first World Cup final since 1966.
England gritted to a 2-1 extra-time win over Norway in the quarter-finals, Jude Bellingham notching a brace after Andreas Schjelderup’s first-half opener had the Three Lions fearing an exit.
They are now on a collision course towards a clash with holders Argentina and Lionel Messi, who also required extra time to overcome Switzerland last time out.
Rivalries will be restored the two nations steeped in historical tension, both on and off the pitch, with England out to avenge their heartbreaking 1998 penalties defeat in an effort to go one game away from a World Cup title.
Follow all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of England vs Argentina in our live blog below:
England vs Argentina latest updates
- England begin preparations for seismic World Cup semi-final against Argentina
- The match kicks off at 8pm on Wednesday in Atlanta
- Winner will take on France or Spain in the final who clash on Tuesday
- Reece James provides update after recovering from injury
- Gianni Infantino hints at expanding World Cup to 64 teams
- Miguel Delaney: Why blockbuster World Cup semi-finals could be the best of all time
Why Trump and Fifa, try as they might, will never overshadow World Cup’s most beautiful feature
11:30 , Kieran Jackson
As the beginnings of a Mexico City thunderstorm swirl high above, dark clouds circling like a slow-motion whirlpool, a pair of English fans do not give a jot.
It is three hours before Mexico face England in the most anticipated match at the Estadio Azteca in 40 years. Attendees are being warned to take cover as the police implement their electrical storm protocol. But these adults, merry on pure vibes, are engrossed in the most childlike of games: a chalk-drawn hopscotch on the gravel, outside the stadium’s Cabecera Norte end, with ‘Viva Mexico’ at the top. And the locals, kids and adults alike, are loving it.
And when embarking on a lap of the outer perimeter of the World Cup’s most iconic venue before the blockbuster last-16 occasion, similar feel-good scenes are at every corner. Event volunteers dressed in blue and green form a ‘Limbo’ dance opportunity for passers-by; half a dozen Mexican dance groups greet ticket holders to the south of the main entrance; Mexicans joust with English in gentle ribbing as they queue for entry into the arena.
Why Trump and Fifa will never overshadow World Cup’s most beautiful feature
The history of England vs Argentina
11:15 , Will Castle
England and Argentina have a storied footballing rivalry, one that mostly revolves around English pain.
It didn’t begin like that. England won their first two World Cup meetings with La Albiceleste, first in 1962 before famously beating them 1-0 at Wembley on their way 1966 glory.
Two decades later, the shoe was on the other foot - or hand, should I say. Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ inflicted a quarter-final defeat on the Three Lions in 1986, an encounter that was particularly incendiary by the Falklands War that had been fought four years earlier.
There was then more heartbreak at the hands of Argentines, exiting the 1998 World Cup on penalties after a 2-2 draw in which Michael Owen scored one of England’s greatest ever goals, before David Beckham was infamously sent off.
Beckham avenged this with a deciding goal in a 1-0 group-stage win at South Korea ‘02, which came three years before England’s most recent meeting with Argentina: a 3-2 friendly victory.
However, not since ‘66 have England delivered against Argentina when it most counts. Thomas Tuchel will want that to change on Wednesday.
A 64-team World Cup?
11:00 , Will Castle
Gianni Infantino has opened the door to further expanding the World Cup to 64 teams.
Infantino successfully pushed for the growth of the World Cup to 48 teams as has been seen at this summer’s edition, a move which initially drew significant scrutiny but has brought little debate since the tournament began.
The Fifa president says the success of the 48-team World Cup means the world governing body now have reason to consider further expansion ahead of the 2030 tournament held across Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
Gianni Infantino hints at expanding World Cup again to 64 teams
Copa Independent: The best World Cup semi-finals... ever?
10:45 , Will Castle
On the latest episode of Copa Independent, Lawrence Ostlere is joined by Miguel Delaney in Atlanta and Kieran Jackson to preview the World Cup semi-finals: England v Argentina and Spain v France, a last four featuring the top four ranked teams and four previous winners.
England’s win over Norway is assessed through the Miami heat, Jude Bellingham’s form and Golden Boot push, Harry Kane’s fatigue, Declan Rice’s fitness, Tuchel’s substitutions, and the Tuchel–Bellingham media flashpoint.
They also explore the deep history and political context of England–Argentina, Messi facing England for the first time, and the tactical contrast of Spain’s positional play against France’s attacking freedom, plus how rest days and VAR could shape the run-in.
James happy to put injury woes behind him
10:30 , Will Castle
Reece James has expressed his relief and satisfaction at recovering from injury just in time for England’s crucial World Cup semi-final clash against holders Argentina.
Speaking to Lions Den, James reflected on his comeback: "It’s good to be back out there with the boys. Picking up an injury at a tournament is always a race against the clock. I applied myself and happy to be back out there."
On dealing with the occasion, he added: "It comes with experience. The higher stakes the game is, the more pressure," he explained. "We’ve been doing it for years, the fundamentals are the same, but the prize is slightly different.
“We’re in a bubble, trying to complete our mission. It’s hard to see the outside. We’re happy we’re making everyone at home proud. This is what dreams are made of. Everyone as a little boy dreamt of playing and winning a World Cup. We’re against one of the best nations in the semi-final."
Reece James ready for World Cup ‘crunch time’ after injury woes
Why blockbuster World Cup semi-finals could be the best of all time
10:15 , Miguel Delaney
As Julian Alvarez sent the ball swerving into the Swiss top corner, for arguably the goal of the World Cup so far, it was almost too perfect. Not just the quality of the strike, but what it means.
Up in Fifa’s VVIP box, far above the customarily ecstatic Argentine celebrations, Conmebol president and Gianni Infantino confidante Alejandro Dominguez was celebrating almost as wildly. It was quite the reaction for a Paraguayan, who grabbed Argentine football chief Claudio Tapia as if he was from the country himself.
That’s perhaps understandable given that it was a goal to get you off your feet as well as badly-needed South American representation in the semi-finals, but all of Fifa must have been jumping for joy.
The goal set up exactly the semi-finals many would have idealised, and that in the home of entertainment.
Why blockbuster World Cup semi-finals could be the best of all time
Who will the winner face in the World Cup final?
10:00 , Will Castle
If England beat Argentina to progress to the World Cup final, they will face either Spain or France who clash on Tuesday.
That side of the draw sees the two tournament favourites go head-to-head in the last-four - whoever wins there will take some beating.
When is England vs Argentina?
09:45 , Will Castle
England face Argentina on Wednesday 15 July at Atlanta Stadium, with kick-off at 8pm BST. It will be televised on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
No more early morning finishes!
England vs Argentina build-up
09:30 , Will Castle
Preparations are underway for England’s seismic semi-final with Argentina as Thomas Tuchel looks to guide the country to a first World Cup final since 1966.
England gritted to a 2-1 extra-time win over Norway in the quarter-finals, Jude Bellingham notching a brace after Andreas Schjelderup’s first-half opener had the Three Lions fearing an exit.
They are now on a collision course towards a clash with holders Argentina and Lionel Messi, who also required extra time to overcome Switzerland last time out.
Rivalries will be restored the two nations steeped in historical tension, both on and off the pitch, with England out to avenge their heartbreaking 1998 penalties defeat in an effort to go one game away from a World Cup title.
Good morning!
09:29 , Will Castle
Hello and welcome to The Independent’s live build-up of England’s seismic World Cup semi-final against Argentina.
We’ll bring you all the latest updates and team news from that clash, as well as building up to tomorrow’s first semi-final between France and Spain.
