Argentina’s path to the last four has been far bumpier than their status as defending champions might suggest. They needed extra time to see off Cape Verde 3-2, mounted a stunning comeback from two goals down in the final minutes to beat Egypt 3-2, and required extra time again to get past Switzerland 3-1. Messi, now 39, admitted afterward that the cumulative toll of those matches was beginning to show.
England’s journey has been similarly gruelling. Thomas Tuchel’s side ground out a win over Mexico in punishing conditions in Mexico City while down to ten men, then needed extra time to defeat Norway 2-1 in sweltering heat in Miami on Saturday.
Where Argentina have leaned on their ability to dig out results under pressure, England have relied on toughness — and increasingly, on the brilliance of Jude Bellingham. The 23-year-old Real Madrid midfielder has scored four goals across the last two rounds and has emerged as the team’s most influential figure, even with captain Harry Kane still leading the line. Tuchel, however, has made clear he wants sharper, more controlled performances from his side if they are to go further.
For Argentina, the burden continues to fall largely on Messi, whose eight tournament goals put him level with France’s Kylian Mbappe atop the race for the Golden Boot. Notably, Wednesday will be the first time in his career Messi has faced England — a curious footnote in a rivalry that has already produced so much history.
A rivalry that still resonates
Former Argentina striker Carlos Tevez, who spent years playing in Manchester, believes the past still shapes how the fixture is perceived on both sides.
“They are surely waiting for revenge for what Diego did in 1986. They are thinking about that, they have a love-hate relationship with Diego because of that match. History is there, history is alive,” Tevez said on ESPN Argentina.
Despite a draw many felt favoured them, Argentina have struggled to assert themselves even against lower-ranked opposition — Switzerland, the highest-ranked team they’ve faced at 19th in the world, pushed them to the brink. “This team is very difficult to analyse,” Tevez said. “It seems to me that this team is getting us used to individual quality making the difference at the moment.”
