With a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final at stake, the contest brings together Lionel Scaloni's reigning champions Argentina and Thomas Tuchel's disciplined England in a meeting shaped by decades of unforgettable moments.

For Lionel Messi, the match also represents a unique milestone. Despite a glittering international career spanning more than two decades, the 39-year-old has never faced England at senior level. After earning his 200th Argentina cap during the group stage, he now has the opportunity to lead the reigning world champions one step closer to another World Cup final.

Messi's Argentina journey began as an 18-year-old in 2005 after helping his country win the FIFA Under-20 World Cup. Handed his senior debut by Jose Pekerman against Hungary, his international career started in dramatic fashion when he was sent off just 90 seconds after coming on as a substitute. The suspension that followed ruled him out of a friendly against England later that year, and with the two nations not meeting since, Wednesday's semi-final will be his first appearance against the Three Lions.

"I have played against everyone except England and it is special because they are a major nation, a powerhouse, and it is always nice to play against a side like that, especially in a World Cup semi-final," Messi said after Argentina's quarter-final victory over Switzerland.

History between the two countries stretches back decades, with several World Cup meetings becoming part of football folklore.

Their rivalry intensified at the 1966 World Cup when Argentina captain Antonio Rattín was sent off for dissent in the quarter-final. He refused to leave the field immediately, sitting on the red carpet inside Wembley before eventually departing, while England manager Alf Ramsey later criticised the Argentine players and instructed his team not to exchange shirts after the match.

Twenty years later came perhaps the rivalry's defining encounter. In the 1986 quarter-final, played four years after the Falklands War, Diego Maradona scored the infamous "Hand of God" goal before producing a dazzling solo effort widely regarded as one of the greatest goals in World Cup history as Argentina advanced.

The nations met again in the 1998 Round of 16, where another fiercely contested knockout tie ended with Argentina progressing on penalties after England midfielder David Beckham was sent off for kicking Diego Simeone.

Argentina have often enjoyed the upper hand in the rivalry's biggest World Cup meetings, but England now have the chance to write a different story.

Messi, meanwhile, continues to add to an extraordinary World Cup legacy. Heading into the semi-finals, he had scored 21 goals in a tournament-record 32 appearances, one more than France captain Kylian Mbappe. Although he did not score in the quarter-final against Switzerland, Julian Alvarez and his teammates ensured Argentina moved within one victory of another final.

Victory would send Argentina into a third World Cup final in four tournaments as they chase back-to-back titles, something no nation has achieved since Brazil retained the trophy in 1962.

"Getting to another semi-final is not a normal, mundane thing, so this is something we should really enjoy because we don't know if it will happen again," Messi said.

England's players are equally aware of the occasion.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," defender Nico O'Reilly told BBC Radio 5 Live. "He's coming towards the end of his career. For me personally, he's the best player to ever touch a football pitch. I can't wait for the challenge."

England Predicted XI:

Pickford; Konsa, Stones, Guehi, O'Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane

Argentina possible starting lineup:

E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico; Paredes; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Messi, Alvarez

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