Luis de la Fuente (R) said Spain were the best team in the world after they beat France with a clinical performance (RONALDO SCHEMIDT)
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente saluted his players as the "best team in the world" on Tuesday after a stunning 2-0Β World Cup semi-final upset of France.
De la Fuente, who had repeatedly said Spain were the best side in the tournament, was left beaming with pride as La Roja outplayed France to reach Sunday's World Cup final.
It was another tactical masterpiece by the Spanish coach, who oversaw La Roja's European Championship victory in 2024 and has now beaten France in three straight competitive matches.
"We started almost four years ago with an idea and weβve been faithful to that idea and it's brought us here," de la Fuente said.
"Today we faced one of the best national teams in the world, but in front of them they had the best team in the world. That is different."
De la Fuente is now contemplating Spain's first World Cup final appearance since 2010.
"These players deserve everything -- day after day theyβve showed their commitment, their solidarity, their generosity, their talent," de la Fuente added of his team. "They make the difficult look easy."
Houston Texans co-founder Janice McNair, bottom right alongside former Texans player Andre Johnson, has died at age 89, th NFL team announced (Tim Warner)
Janice McNair, who co-founded the NFL's Houston Texans in 2002, died on Tuesday at age 89, the team announced.
McNair and her husband Bob, who died in 2018 at age 81, brought the NFL back to Houston with an expansion club after the Houston Oilers moved in 1997 to become the Tennessee Titans.
Janice McNair served as the Texans' primary owner after her husband's death until transferring the post to son Cal McNair in 2024.
"Outside of our family, nothing mattered more to her than her beloved Texans. I remain honored to lead this franchise and build on the foundation my parents set when they brought football back to Houston," said Texans chair and chief executive Cal McNair.
"Mom leaves an indelible mark on our family, our team and our community and her giving spirit will always be embedded in the fabric of our organization."
The Texans reached the playoffs in three of six seasons under her guidance.
"Mrs. McNair was an incredible woman who will be deeply missed," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said.
"We shared the same vision of bringing the organization to new heights and I will continue to work every day to accomplish that goal."
American Jordan Walker of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates after winning the Major League Baseball Home Run Derby (Chris Graythen)
St. Louis slugger Jordan Walker smashed home runs on the last four pitches he faced on Monday to edge Philadelphia's Kyle Schwarber 12-11 in Major League Baseball's Home Run Derby final.
The 24-year-old American right-handed hitter defeated the MLB season homers leader in Schwarber's home ballpark to capture the $1 million top prize.
Schwarber, a left-handed hitter with 32 homers this season, began the head-to-head final with home runs on six of his first eight swings and off 10 of the regulation 15 pitches.
The 33-year-old American earned extra throws with a last-pitch homer and belted an 11th to make Walker's task that much harder.
Walker, who has 22 homers this season, belted homers on four of his first six swings but came to his final swing three homers behind, needing four in a row for a fightback triumph.
The Cardinals outfielder then blasted the first pitch for a homer to end regulation throws on nine, then hit three extra throws in a row over the outfield wall to capture the title.
The annual ball-bashers showcase was staged at Philadelphia on the eve of the 96th MLB All-Star Game, which matches elite talent from the American and National leagues.
Rule changes for 2026 eliminated time limits in favor of pre-set numbers of pitches, 20 in round one and 15 in the semi-final and final rounds for each contestant.
In the head-to-head semi-finals, Walker smashed six of eight pitches for homers to defeat last year's Derby runner-up, 23-year-old Dominican slugger Junior Caminero of Tampa Bay, 6-5.
In the other semi, Schwarber edged 34-year-old Venezuelan Wilson Contreras of Boston 9-8.
Schwarber smashed nine homers off 15 pitches to begin while Contreras, who hit eight homers on 11 pitches in round one, missed on his first two swings, homered on six of the next seven but could not manage an equalizer.
Walker crushed eight homers on his first 10 pitches in round one and matched Contreras at the top with 13 homers, while Caminero had 12 and Schwarber hit 10 to grab the last semi spot, but only after an 0-for-5 start.
Schwarber homered on 10 of his last 15 swings then watched as teammate Bryce Harper, the final first-round batter, hit only eight homers and was eliminated.
Also ousted in the opening round were Japanese MLB rookie Munetaka Murakami of the Chicago White Sox with nine homers, Kansas City's Jac Caglianone with eight and Ben Rice of the New York Yankees with seven.
Los Angeles Dodgers batting and pitching star Shohei Ohtani of Japan and New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge were not in the Derby and will miss the All-Star Game due to injuries.
Lionel Messi will take on England for the first time in his international career on Wednesday as he attempts to lead Argentina to another World Cup final (CHANDAN KHANNA)
Lionel Messi has done just about everything possible in a glorious career, but the 39-year-old Argentinian great has never taken on England -- he will finally get the chance in Wednesday's World Cup semi-final.
Messi won his 200th cap for the Albiceleste in the group-stage victory against Algeria and dreams of leading his country to the final once again.
The diminutive playmaker is surely in the final days of a remarkable international career which began when he was a fresh-faced 18-year-old in 2005.
Having broken into the Barcelona team late the previous year, Messi had just starred for Argentina as they won the Under-20 World Cup in the Netherlands.
He was handed his Argentina bow by Jose Pekerman in a friendly against Hungary in Budapest that August, replacing Lisandro Lopez in the 64th minute and joining Hernan Crespo up front. Β
Ninety seconds later he was sent off for what the referee saw as an elbow. It was quite the ignominious way for his Argentina career to begin.
"An 18-year-old kid who is making his debut for the national team and has so much hope -- he can't be punished like that. The referee needed to be more understanding," said Crespo.
Messi might look back now and laugh at that incident, which led to him being suspended for a friendly against England in Geneva three months later.
The nations have not met since, and so Messi will play against the Three Lions for the very first time under the roof of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
"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," said Messi after Argentina beat Switzerland in Kansas City in the last eight.
- Emulating Maradona -
The man who emulated Diego Maradona by inspiring Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar four years ago will now hope to leave a similar mark on England as his legendary predecessor.
Any meeting of these countries evokes memories of the 1986 quarter-final at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, when Maradona punched in to score the 'Hand of God' opener and then ran past half the England defence for his team's second goal -β perhaps the greatest World Cup goal of all time.
Messi has not scored one quite like that, but ahead of the semi-finals of the current tournament he had scored more World Cup goals than any other player.
With 21 goals from a tournament record 32 appearances, he led France skipper Kylian Mbappe by one after the quarter-finals.
The Inter Miami player had found the net in nine consecutive World Cup matches before the Switzerland game, when he let others -- notably Julian Alvarez -- take over the goalscoring duties.
Argentina are now one game away from reaching another World Cup final, as they aim to become the first team to retain the trophy since Brazil in 1962.
It would be a third final in four World Cups, and Messi could follow in the footsteps of Brazil great Cafu. The full-back played in three in a row from 1994 to 2002 β- even Maradona only played in two.
"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.
The England players will hope to enjoy it as well.
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Nico O'Reilly, who is likely to come up against Messi if he starts at left-back, 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. And yeah, I can't wait for the challenge."
Lionel Messi's Argentina and Harry Kane's England face off in a blockbuster World Cup semi-final in Atlanta on Wednesday (Paul ELLIS)
England are bidding to end Lionel Messi's dream of winning back-to-back World Cups and reach their first final in six decades as they renew their old rivalry with holders Argentina on Wednesday in a seismic semi-final showdown.
An England team which has been dragged to this stage by the brilliance of Jude Bellingham take on Messi's Argentina under the roof of the spectacular arena in Atlanta, already the scene of a memorable victory by the defending champions at this tournament.
It is the first competitive meeting of the sides since the 2002 World Cup and the fixture conjures so many memories, from Diego Maradona and the 'Hand of God' in 1986, to David Beckham's red card after tangling with Diego Simeone in 1998, while also thrusting the lingering sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands back into the spotlight.
"The message is this is a football game. That's what I can say," said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni after his team's 3-1 quarter-final win over Switzerland.
There is more than enough to focus on in purely footballing terms, with England one win from a first appearance in the World Cup final since they lifted the trophy in 1966.
Argentina, meanwhile, are looking to reach a third final in four World Cups, and in doing so remain on course to become the first nation to retain the trophy since Brazil in 1962.
"This squad does not get tired of making history. They keep wanting more," said Messi after the Switzerland game.
"It is not easy to have been world champions, to have won all that we have won, and to once again keep competing at this level and be back in the semi-finals."
Remarkably, the semi-final is also the first time Messi has ever played against England.
- Epic feel -
Neither team has enjoyed a smooth passage to this stage.
Argentina cruised through the group phase, but the knockout rounds have been frenetic for the team coached by Scaloni, the one-time West Ham United full-back.
Twice they were pegged back before beating Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time. Then they needed a late comeback to beat Egypt 3-2 in Atlanta, before requiring extra time to sink 10-man Switzerland 3-1 on Saturday.
That game ended Messi's streak of scoring in nine consecutive World Cup outings, but extended the Albiceleste's unbeaten run at the finals to 12 matches since losing to Saudi Arabia in 2022.
England began with a thrilling 4-2 win over Croatia but have struggled to hit the same heights since, even if their run in the knockout rounds has had an epic feel to it.
They needed a late comeback, and two Harry Kane goals, to beat DR Congo 2-1, then held on with 10 men to defeat Mexico 3-2 in the Estadio Azteca in a World Cup classic in which Bellingham notched a brace.
The Real Madrid star also scored twice, including an extra-time winner, as England fought back to beat Norway 2-1 in Miami at the weekend.
And so here they are, in a fourth semi-final in the last five major tournaments.
"We all know how good Messi is but we also know how good Argentina are. We can't solely rely on (stopping) Messi," England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford said Monday.
"We've got to focus on their other strengths and the weaknesses we can take advantage of."
- Ageing lineup -
Argentina are an ageing side, and perhaps their exertions to reach this point will catch up with them β- the average age of their starting line-up against Switzerland was over 30, while England's against Norway was 26.6.
England have a doubt over Declan Rice, who has been struggling with illness, as they prepare to face Messi at last, right at the end of his glorious career.
"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," said 39-year-old Messi.
The last meeting of the teams was a 3-2 friendly win for England in November 2005, when Michael Owen scored twice.
Messi was 18 at the time and had made his international debut three months earlier, but he did not play in that game.
France's head coach Didier Deschamps said he sees Spain as World Cup favourites ahead of their semi-final clash in Texas (FRANCK FIFE)
France coach Didier Deschamps insisted he still sees Spain as World Cup favourites on Monday ahead of Les Bleus' blockbuster semi-final against the European champions.
France take on Spain at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Tuesday in a match widely seen as a collision of the best two teams in the tournament.
While Deschamps' side have lit up the World Cup with a string of scintillating performances, Spain's campaign has built momentum gradually following a shock 0-0 draw against minnows Cape Verde in their opening game.
Deschamps, though, maintains that France -- beaten by Spain in their last two meetings -- will be the underdog on Tuesday.Β
"Forget about the first game against Cape Verde," Deschamps said of Spain's campaign. "Ever since then Spain have confirmed that they are the favourites.Β
"I don't want to add extra pressure to (Spain coach) Luis (de la Fuente) and their team -- he knows very well that people are expecting greatly of Spain.
"But Spain can attack well, and they can defend very well. They've only conceded one goal in the last six or seven matches."
Deschamps believes Tuesday's game has all the makings of a classic.
"With the quality of the two teams offensively, I think we could think that is going to be a spectacular game," he said.
Deschamps is also not overly concerned by the threat posed by Spain winger Lamine Yamal, who scored in La Roja's victories over France in the European Championship semi-final in 2024 and the UEFA Nations League last year.
"We know the strength of the opposing team. We have our own strengths," Deschamps said.
"Have I studied Yamal and his assets? Yes, he's one of the players that can really make a difference on the pitch.Β
"And all opponents should try to limit the strength of the other team, but we have many solutions.Β
"When it comes to a one-on-ones it could be tough. But having a one-on-one against some of my players is not an easy task either."
Deschamps, meanwhile, confirmed that France captain Kylian Mbappe, who left the quarter-final win over Morocco late in the second half after taking a knock, was "100 percent" fit for the semi-final.
Didier Deschamps is aiming to win the World Cup for a second time as a coach, having also won it as player (Odd ANDERSEN)
The World Cup held its breath Monday on the eve of the first semi-final that pitches France's fearsome attack against a technically gifted Spain team.
France have reached the past two World Cup finals, winning in 2018 in Russia and losing to Argentina four years ago in Qatar in an epic final despite a hat-trick from Kylian Mbappe.
They are aiming to win the World Cup for a third time while Spain -- despite their rich footballing tradition -- have lifted the famous trophy just once, in South Africa in 2010.
Many observers believe this year's Spain squad has the quality to win the tournament -- but first they need to find a way to stop France's star-studded frontline, led by Mbappe.
The Real Madrid forward has scored eight goals to lead the Golden Boot race alongside Lionel Messi and will give Spain's defenders a different challenge in Arlington, Texas.
France's roster of forwards also includes Ballon D'Or winner Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise, the English-born forward whose pace and dribbling pull defences out of shape, allowing Mbappe the space to work his magic.
Behind them, whether they start the game or come on as substitutes, France can call on Paris Saint-Germain pair Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue.
Defeat to Messi's Argentina in the final in Doha four years ago was a bitter experience for France, and the desire for a rematch is strong -- if Messi can lead his team past England in their semi-final in Atlanta on Wednesday.
Adding to France's motivation, France coach Didier Deschamps is leaving after this tournament following 14 years in charge.
Already part of the elite club to have won the World Cup as a player and a coach, Deschamps would dearly love to collect a third title.
"It is a human adventure and even though I chose the players, to be with this squad every day is very important," he said after France comfortably beat Morocco in the quarter-finals.
"I am very happy on a personal level and also happy to see them enjoying themselves so much."
- Upper hand -
In Lamine Yamal, who turned 19 on Monday, Spain have the player who will likely succeed Messi and the far younger Mbappe as football's next superstar.
Yamal inspired Spain to glory at Euro 2024 but came into his first World Cup still recovering from a hamstring injury.
The Barcelona player initially looked less than his normal sparkling best, but he has improved steadily and won the player-of-the-match award in the 2-1 semi-final win against Belgium.
The teenager pointed out that Spain have the upper hand on France, having beaten them 2-1 in the semi-final of Euro 2024 and in a high-scoring Nations League semi-final in 2025 that finished 5-4.
"There are two possibilities -- either they reach three consecutive World Cup finals, or we beat them three times in a row. We'll see what happens," Yamal said.
Spain's run to the final has been built on a solid defence -- Belgium's goal at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles was the first they have conceded in the entire tournament.
Coach Luis de la Fuente has restored the possession-based style that was a trademark of earlier Spain teams, meaning France will have to win the ball from them before they can launch their attacks.
The football teams of forty-eight countries set out with a chance of winning the World Cup on June 11, and the hopes of just four nations remain alive.
The top four teams in the FIFA rankings, with eight previous titles between them, will lock horns on Tuesday and Wednesday to try to secure a place in what is set to be the grandest of showpiece occasions in sport: the World Cup Final at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, July 19.
Al Jazeera ranks the contenders for the title:
Argentinaβs Lionel Messi takes a break during the quarterfinal [Lee Smith/Reuters]
4. Argentina
Whatβs this? The defending champions as the outsiders?
Well, Algeria, Austria, Jordan, Cape Verde, Egypt and Switzerland must be one of the kindest ever paths to the business end of a World Cup, and La Albiceleste have not exactly been convincing along it.
They were made to sweat by Cape Verde and Egypt in the knockout stages before finding a way to prevail in dramatic circumstances, and the pattern was repeated against Switzerland in Kansas City on Saturday night, when they went almost 90 minutes without a shot on target following Alexis Mac Allisterβs early opening goal.
Their ageing side eventually prevailed after 120 minutes in sweltering conditions. Had Switzerland kept 11 men on the field, things might have been very different, but, once again, in the end, the defending champions found a way to win when they were well below their best.
Surely they cannot get away with another performance like that against England? Well, England fans might well be saying the same about the Three Lions. Both Harry Kane and Lionel Messi fell well short of their best in the last-eight matchups too.
The outpouring of emotion from Messi at full-time in the comeback win over Egypt showed just how close the three-time winners came to being eliminated. In an already emotionally charged matchup with England, expect tempers to rise and tears to flow on either side come full-time.
If Argentina, and β in his first-ever appearance against the Three Lions β Messi, are able to rediscover their swagger and win, ousting their old foes from the tournament in the knockout stages for a third straight time, then the confidence and momentum they would take into the final would be huge.
However, nothing they have shown in the US this summer would suggest that is likely to happen.
And even if it did, whether it would be enough to give them the edge against European champions Spain, or a vengeful France side they vanquished on penalties in the epic final of Qatar 2022, is another matter entirely.
Englandβs Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane celebrate after beating Norway [Paul Childs/Reuters]
3. England
Have we seen the best of England in this tournament? Probably not. And yet, here they are, in the semifinals for just the fourth time ever.
The win over Norway was neither pretty nor convincing, and manager Thomas Tuchel admitted they were lucky to get through, thanks largely to Jude Bellingham putting the team on his shoulders at a couple of key moments once again. Could a midfielder really win the Golden Boot? He is only two behind Messi and Kylian Mbappe with six goals already.
Much to Tuchelβs frustration, bar a 20-minute purple patch in the second half of the 4-2 opening game win against Croatia, England have yet to dominate a team, and relied on counterattacking bursts to give them a 3-2 lead to defend in the epic round-of-16 victory over Mexico in the cauldron of the Azteca.
What they have shown is character, in abundance, and they will likely need plenty more of that if they are to end 60 years of longing for a second World Cup title.
The game against Argentina will be far more than 11 vs 11; the ghosts of football history will line up alongside both teams, and the hype and pressure are sure to be enormous.
A few possible positives for England will be that they have already made par for this tournament: Ranked fourth in the world, they have reached the last four. Anything else would be a bonus. Nobody really considers them a top-two team in the world, which might help to alleviate some of the burden of expectation.
After a trip to the altitude of Mexico City, and the oppressive heat and humidity of Miami, a return to the 22-Celsius (71.6F) climate-controlled confines of Atlanta, where England overcame DR Congo in the round of 32, will be welcome.
They also have no new suspensions to deal with, with Jarell Quansah left with one game of his two-match ban to serve; and there were minutes for Reece James against Norway. England will meanwhile be hoping Declan Rice recovers fully after a 45-minute cameo in which he was patently not fit following illness.
An ageing Argentina side have struggled against the pace, movement and trickery of Cape Verde, Egypt and Switzerland in the past three rounds, and Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon, and even Marcus Rashford will be even better placed to exploit that.
Beyond Messi, Argentina have not posed too many attacking questions themselves, though Julian Alvarezβs stunning strike against Switzerland might just be the start of his own World Cup.
All things considered, expect England to make it through to the final, but France would likely be a step too far, and even Spain would be a big ask, despite the additional motivation of revenge for their Euro 2024 final defeat.
Spainβs Mikel Merino celebrates the victory against Belgium [Jessie Alcheh/Reuters]
2. Spain
They are the third semifinalists yet to find top gear at this tournament, bar a one-sided display against Austria in the round of 32.
La Rojaβs stoic defence might have been punctured for the first time this summer by Belgium in the last eight, but the 649 minutes that preceded that goal were the longest streak in World Cup history without conceding, and they have still allowed just seven shots on target in their six matches so far.
Though the goal contribution stats might not reflect it, Lamine Yamal has shown flashes of a return to top form after that season-ending hamstring injury in April, while La Rojaβs carousel of tricky attackers has posed problems for defences in all six matches so far, and Mikel Merino has written himself into folklore with last-gasp winners against Portugal and Belgium.
Four-goal leading scorer Mikel Oyarzabal has gone off the boil in the past couple of games, however, and is unlikely to strike too much fear into the French backline.
While teenage defender Pau Cubarsi looks at home on the biggest stage of all, he is yet to face the kind of test that Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele will pose.
If they make the final, Spain will be favourites to win it, and they have won the World Cup the only time they previously reached the last four, but despite having beaten France in their past two encounters, a third should be beyond them.
Franceβs forward line of Kylian Mbappe (bottom), Ousmane Dembele (top), Bradley Barcola (right), and Michael Olise (left) is considered the strongest at the tournament [Mauro Pimentel/AFP]
1. France
Before their last-eight matchup with Morocco, we asserted that France were the class of the field with a fearsome foursome in attack and a defence that, although it had not really been tested yet, had only allowed two goals in five matches.
Well, make that two in six, even if they still have not really been tested, such was the Atlas Lionsβ toothless attack on the night in their 2-0 defeat.
Mbappe further enhanced his credentials for the Golden Boot and all-time World Cup scoring record with another quality goal against Morocco, and Olise, Dembele, Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola continue to threaten across the field in a way no other team on earth can.
Spain, and in particular their defence, will pose a different challenge, and the underworked French defence will likely get their own test this time, too, with the likes of Dani Olmo, Alex Baena, Ferran Torres and Fabian Ruiz getting into promising positions around Oyarzabal, and thatβs not to mention super-sub Merino.
Whoever beats France will surely lift the World Cup, but none of the remaining teams can match the dynamism of Les Bleusβ forwards. Although Spain will likely be their hardest challenge, it is one you can expect Didier Deschampsβs men to overcome, not least fuelled by the additional motivation of having lost to La Roja in the Euro 2024 and Nations League semifinals over the past two years.
Mr. Soundoff Says β The USMNT lost in the round of 16 at the World Cup for the 4th straight time, this time to Belgium 4-1.
The loss was disappointing, but John Sears says it should be expected. Americans need to stop thinking we should be dominating soccer on a world level. Itβs not our primary sport, or secondary, or even third.
Team USA is getting better, slowly. The biggest disappointment didnβt come from lack of talent, but lack of effort, The USMNT looked scared and timid.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
American Max Holloway, right, lands a punch against Conor McGregor of Ireland in his victory in their welterweight mixed martial arts bout during UFC 329 (Ian Maule)
Conor McGregor said Sunday his right knee was fine before he injured it on the first kick of his mixed martial arts showdown with Max Holloway to end a five-year layoff.
And the Irish star who lost in 69 seconds at UFC 329 in Las Vegas vowed to make another comeback once he recovers from his latest setback.
McGregor injured himself when he planted his right leg to make a leaping roundhouse kick at the start of the bout, falling to the mat for the first of three times before the fight was stopped.
"I was so sharp and so ready for this fight I cannot believe what has happened," McGregor posted on X on Sunday after the bout.
"The talk of me being off while walking in to the fight is nonsense. I was calm, ready, and confident. I am in shock what has taken place."
McGregor, who had not fought since suffering a broken left leg in a 2021 defeat, promised his famed career was not yet over.
"I will overcome this," he wrote. "I will not be deterred. I will return."
McGregor described his injury as "my head gasket is gone. Destroyed," in a cryptic reference taken to mean torn knee ligaments.
"I had no injury / injuries going into the fight," McGregor posted.
"I was throwing kicks, planted and jumping, all throughout camp as well as backstage before the fight. This came out of nowhere."
McGregor described his situation as, "I am beyond dark here. I can only describe it as hell."
Triumphant Holloway, who joked of making McGregor "weak in the knees," said he wants to fight McGregor again whenever possible. He lost their first meeting in 2013.
"Thank you Conor for fight. Took a lot to make that walk after these past few years," Holloway posted on X. "Sending prayers for a speedy recovery."
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni speaks to Lionel Messi during their World Cup quarter-final against Switzerland in Kansas City (Odd ANDERSEN)
England and Argentina will meet on Wednesday in a blockbuster World Cup semi-final infused with decades of bitter rivalry after they battled past Norway and Switzerland respectively in the quarter-finals.
The South Americans and their talisman Lionel Messi must defeat England in Atlanta to keep alive their hopes of becoming the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1962.
England and their key partnership of Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane must win to have any hope of ending a 60-year wait for a major trophy.
The winner of that game will take on the victor of France's semi-final with Spain -- they meet in Texas on Tuesday -- in the final on July 19.
The Argentina v England match comes 40 years after a seismic encounter in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
Argentina secured a 2-1 victory at the Estadio Azteca with two goals from Diego Maradona -- one the infamous "Hand of God" when he punched the ball into the net andΒ the other a dazzling solo effort considered one of the greatest goals ever to grace a World Cup.
For Maradona's heir, Messi, it will be his 206th match in an Albiceleste shirt, but his first ever against England.
The match will also take place against the backdrop of a lingering sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, known in Spanish as the Malvinas.
Britain sent a military taskforce in 1982 to reclaim the islands after Argentine troops invaded.
After Argentina beat a dogged Swiss side 3-1 in Kansas City on Saturday thanks to extra-time goals from Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez, their coach Lionel Scaloni attempted to take the political heat out of the meeting with England.
"The message is this is a football game. That's what I can say," Scaloni said.Β
"It is a football game and we will be playing against a very tough opponent. They have an excellent coach and this is a football game and that's all."
- 'Very lucky ' -
That coach, Thomas Tuchel, was angry with his England team after they needed extra-time on Saturday to end Norway's historic run in sweltering Miami.
Two goals from Jude Bellingham gave England a nervy 2-1 victory to send them into the semi-finals for only the fourth time in history.
Tuchel said his team would need to make a noticeable improvement if they were to have any chance of reaching the final.
In energy-sapping Florida heat and humidity, England's shaky defence allowed Andreas Schjelderup to unleash a rasping shot from the left to put Norway ahead on 36 minutes.
But England got a huge break in first-half stoppage time when Bellingham equalised after an attack that was initiated when a goal kick from Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland appeared to hit an overhead camera cable.
Norway's players protested in vain and the goal stood. The Norwegians also had a goal controversially disallowed before Bellingham then poached the winner in extra-time.
"We made life very, very difficult for ourselves today," Tuchel said afterwards.Β
"The result is fantastic. The last four is amazing, but not happy with the performance... we were very lucky today."
While football's world governing body FIFA later said there was "no evidence" the ball had hit the cable before England's first goal, Norway coach Stale Solbakken was adamant.
"That was unlucky for us," Solbakken said. "The ball fell straight down from the sky, so it changed its direction. But we can't do anything about that."
Erling Haaland, the marauding forward who scored seven goals as Norway reached uncharted waters at the tournament, said his team's performance had inspired a new generation.
"How we put Norway on the map is maybe one thing that touches me the most," said Haaland, who failed to score for the first time in 15 competitive games for his country.
"Hopefully now we can establish something when it comes to Euros, World Cups and everything because our generation is amazing and also all this gives motivation to young people back in Norway that it's possible to play a big stage in the world with a Norwegian shirt."
Hereβs everything you need to know to plan a trip to the GalΓ‘pagos Islands, voted one of the worldβs best islands in the 2026 Worldβs Best Awards.
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