England vs Argentina - it’s a World Cup rivalry that goes back years.

• 1966 - England beat Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup semi-final
• 1986 - Argentina beat England 2-1 in the World Cup quarter-final
• 1998 - Argentina beat England on penalties in the World Cup Round of 16
• 2002 - England beat Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup group stage

And, here we are in 2026, with the next chapter about to be written in Atlanta, which will also see the pair's first meeting in 21 years - spine-tingling.

ENGLAND 8/5 ARGENTINA 19/10 DRAW 19/10 (8pm BBC)

England (Ranked 4) form: 

(xG 1.04) England 1-1 Norway (Ranked 19) (2-1 aet)
(xG 1.61) England 3-2 Mexico (Ranked 10)
(xG 2.15) England 2-1 DR Congo (Ranked 41)
(xG 1.57) England 2-0 Panama (Ranked 44)
(xG 1.36) England 0-0 Ghana (Ranked 65)
(xG 3.21) England 4-2 Croatia (Ranked 13)

Shots: 92 Shots on target: 45 HT/FT goals: 5-7 Corners: 35 Cards: 8
Goals scored minutes: 12, 36, 38, 42, 45, 47, 60, 62, 67, 75, 85, 86, (93)
Top scorers: Harry Kane (6 goals), Jude Bellingham (6 goals)

Argentina (Ranked 2) form: 

(xG 2.84) Argentina 1-1 Switzerland (Ranked 14) (3-1 aet)
(xG 1.94) Argentina 3-2 Egypt (Ranked 24)
(xG 2.26) Argentina 1-1 Cape Verde (Ranked 64) (3-2 aet)
(xG 2.13) Argentina 3-1 Jordan (Ranked 73)
(xG 2.36) Argentina 2-0 Austria (Ranked 23)
(xG 1.26) Argentina 3-0 Algeria (Ranked 29)

Shots: 95 Shots on target: 38 HT/FT goals: 6-7  Corners: 31 Cards: 6
Goals scored minutes: 10, 17, 19, 29, 31, 38, 60, 76, 79, 80, 83, 90, 90 (92, 111, 112, 120)
Top scorers: Lionel Messi (8 goals), Lautaro Martinez (2)

We've already touched on the famous history of these two sides in past World Cups, but here is the full count involving all their meetings:

England vs Argentina head-to-heads:

England 6 wins Argentina 4 wins 5 draws

2005: England 3-2 Argentina (friendly)
2002: England 1-0 Argentina (WC)
2000: England 0-0 Argentina (friendly)
1998: England 2-2 Argentina (WC)
1991: England 2-2 Argentina (friendly)
1986: England 1-2 Argentina (WC)
1980: England 3-1 Argentina (friendly)
1977: England 1-1 Argentina (friendly)
1974: England 2-2 Argentina (friendly)
1966: England 1-0 Argentina (WC)

The astonishing fact from above, and one that will please England fans, is that Argentina beat England just once in 10 games over 90 minutes - Maradona's infamous game of 1986.

It's a nice stat to digest ahead of Wednesday's showdown, and BoyleSports offer 2/5 for England to be unbeaten in 90 minutes, 4/5 for England to qualify, 9/1 about them to win in extra-time, and 15/2 for a Three Lions win via penalties.

England certainly have the firepower to make the final, as do Argentina, but how did their backlines perform against other attacks?

Team stats versus England at the 2026 World Cup

Team stats versus Argentina at the 2026 World Cup

Advantage to Argentina on the above data, although Egypt gave Argentina’s defence arguably their sternest test in the last 16 - just at the same time when England came under serious pressure from Mexico.

As for individual players, then Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham show no signs of tiredness and continue to impact England's games in each round - but, can the same be said of Lionel Messi?

Have Lionel Messi’s performances dropped off?

Some of you may be in big disagreement that the great man could be running out of gas, but there is no denying he looked a much fresher player in the group stages.

Maybe a combination of age and an increasingly quicker turnaround of games in the heat are catching up with him - he also missed a penalty against Egypt.

In terms of how past World Cup semi-finals worked out, then for those who missed the first semi-final preview, here is a repeat of past semi-final scorelines:

Past World Cup semi-finals scores (since 1982):

0-0, 0-0
1-0, 1-0, 1-0, 1-0, 1-0, 1-0
1-1, 1-1, 1-1, 1-1, 1-1
2-0, 2-0, 2-0, 2-0
2-1, 2-1
3-0
3-2
7-1

Before summarising Wednesday's semi-final bets, some final stats to note:

• England won 7 of their last 8 games
• England had the second-highest shots on target in the tournament (45) - France had 50
• Jude Bellingham’s shots on targets totals were: 2 3 3 1 0 2
• Elliot Anderson made the most tackles in the tournament (16)
• Bukayo Saka had the most England assists (3)
• Argentina scored the most goals in the tournament (17)
• Argentina remain unbeaten in 12 World Cup games
• Lionel Messi had the most shots in the tournament (32) - Kylian Mbappe had 30

England vs Argentina betting summary:

Argentina were taken to extra-time in two of their last three matches, as were England last time against Norway, the team who have officially finished fifth in the 2026 World Cup - that’s not a bad formline.

England are also favourites to get this done without the need for extra-time, and lost only once to Argentina during 90 minutes in their last 10 meetings.

It's an obvious one, but this will be tight, with both sides looking likely to score, and both Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham guaranteed to be amongst the action, while the dangerous Bukayo Saka looked back to his best last time and will be a huge threat if making the starting line-up.

Declan Rice is a doubt to start, but Elliot Anderson will be dependable once more, with his last five total tackles: 2 5 2 2 3.

Bukayo Saka to score the opener at 10/1 is well priced only if he lines-up - do check the teams ahead of kick-off if having that bet - while Saka to have an assist is 9/2. Interestingly, Saka has also backtracked plenty with his tackling - his last four tackle totals were: 3 3 2 2.

England vs Argentina tips: 1-1 DRAW at 9/2. SQUAD BUILDER: SAKA, KANE, BELLINGHAM, ANDERSON 6+ TACKLES, 1+ GOALS, 3+ SHOTS ON TARGET, 1+ ASSISTS at 3/1.

Look out for more World Cup bets when the third-place playoff takes place on Saturday.

Read David’s ante-post selections here.