ENGLAND were gearing up yesterday for a titanic clash with Argentina for a place in the World Cup final — and a first battle with football colossus Lionel Messi.
Incredibly, , 39, has never played against despite being capped more than 200 times in a glittering 21-year international career.
Thanks to Jude Bellingham’s brace against Norway, England are gearing up for a titanic clash with Argentina for a place in the World Cup final — and a first battle with football colossus Lionel Messi Credit: Getty
Incredibly, Messi, 39, has never played against England despite being capped more than 200 times in a glittering 21-year international career Credit: Getty
The little genius said yesterday it would be “special” to , in what will be the bitter rivals’ biggest soccer showdown to date.
Messi will also come face to face with England’s very own talisman — the 23-year-old preparing to steal his crown.
And it could get messy back home, with millions hoping to repeat the jubilant scenes seen across the nation after
Bellingham, man of the match against in the last 16, was our hero again as his brilliant brace sank ’s Vikings in a gritty comeback triumph in Miami.
England fought back from a goal down to book their place in the World Cup semis Credit: Getty
Jude Bellingham found the winner in Extra Time to book a semi-final against Argentina – and a first clash with Messi Credit: Alamy
also won in extra time in their last-eight clash a few hours later, beating valiant 3-1 in Kansas after the Europeans had a player sent off amid further controversy.
England will be up against the reigning world champions in the semi-final at Atlanta’s 75,000-seater Stadium, with the sport’s biggest prize within reach.
The World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday awaits the winners — against either or , who play in the other semi on Tuesday.
A huge security operation is expected across Atlanta, as tens of thousands of fired-up Argentina fans flood into the city, vastly outnumbering Three Lions followers.
Ecstatic fans take to the streets of London to celebrate England’s victory Credit: Reuters
Fans in Derby hail England’s victory and look forward to taking on Argentina in the semi-finals Credit: Story Picture Agency
More fireworks are expected back home as up to 25million fans are expected to watch the action on One in and at home.
An England insider said yesterday: “We’ve had plenty of drama already and beating Mexico in the Azteca was incredible — but this is the big one.
“England has never played against an Argentina side with Messi in the team and he will pose the biggest threat yet for our defence. But Bellingham is our very own Messi — and we’ll be up to the challenge.
“The team is resting up today but Tuchel will have no trouble firing them up for Wednesday.”
England will face Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the World Cup semis after the South Americans saw off Switzerland in Extra Time Credit: AP
England will want to avenge Diego Maradona’s 1986 win as well as theatrics, which got sent off in 1988 before we lost on penalties. Argentina seek retribution for their 1-0 group game loss in 2002 in which a Beckham penalty helped dumped them out.
The last time England faced Argentina was in a 2005 friendly, but Messi did not play owing to a red card. He was 18 when he made his senior debut for Argentina against — and was sent off for elbowing a defender after just 40 seconds.
The suspension put him out of the England game, played in Geneva owing to the intense rivalry, with Argentina losing 3-2. After the Switzerland win yesterday, Messi said: “Playing against England is special because they are a powerhouse, and matches against powerhouses are always special.
“It’s the first time I’m going to play against them. I’ve played against everyone except England, so it will be nice for that reason, too.”
Mick Jagger spotted cheering on the Three Lions Credit: World Cup 2026 News Pool (WCNP) SCORCHER IN MIAMI
- By at Miami Stadium
MIAMI was absolutely sizzling — and I’m not talking about the 32C heat, which soared to a bonkers 40C owing to the South Florida humidity.
The atmosphere around the Hard Rock Stadium — rebranded as Miami Stadium for the World Cup — was pure, unadulterated carnival.
The streets were a vibrant sea of England white and Norwegian red. Every bar was pumping out Three Lions and Sweet Caroline.
As guests of Hard Rock International my 11-year-old son and I were lucky enough to have seats in a hospitality suite, overlooking the pristine pitch surrounded by a wall of 65,000 roaring fans.
The match itself was an absolute heart-stopper. Norway are no pushovers.
But Thomas Tuchel has turned this England side into an absolute machine.
But the real drama comes next as we face Argentina.
Come on England!
Meanwhile, pub landlords are hoping for another sales bonanza while employers brace for a wave of bleary-eyed staff on Thursday.
England’s latest dramatic victory on Saturday delivered another huge boost to the hospitality trade.
Figures from Heineken UK show drinks sales at its pubs soared by 84 per cent compared with last year. Takings peaked at kick-off time at 10pm, 241 per cent higher than the same time a year earlier.
The additional half hour of extra time is estimated to have generated a further ten per cent uplift in sales as tense fans kept drinking.
Maya Jama and Olivia Stones cheer on the England team in Miami Credit: instagram @mayajama
At 39, this is likely to be both Messi’s first and final World Cup clash with England Credit: Getty
Hospitality chiefs believe Wednesday night’s clash could eclipse those figures if England reach their first World Cup final since 1966, and their only one overseas.
The Chartered Management Institute has urged employers to let staff start late, saying a little flexibility could boost morale after what could be another memorable night for the Three Lions. However, its own research suggests many workers may not be so lucky.
Just 22 per cent of employers said they planned to offer flexible working during the tournament.
Only 13 per cent intended to allow extended breaks with seven per cent offering additional leave.
The Three Lions beat Norway in a nerve-wracking extra-time Credit: Reuters GONNA BE No1 THAT SAVES ME
OASIS classic Wonderwall is poised finally to hit No1 as England’s brilliant World Cup run continues.
The song, which has become a fan anthem for the Three Lions, entered the official Top 20 yesterday, coming in at No8.
It is expected to rise further after the win over Norway on Saturday.
Wonderwall peaked at No2 when it was first released in 1995.
More than half — 52 per cent — said they had no plans to introduce any special arrangements despite millions of fans expected to stay up late. leaders urged workers to speak to bosses in advance if they wanted a later start or time off, warning that last- minute absences could be difficult to accommodate for many.
England and Argentina games have been especially fiery since the 1982 Falklands conflict, when 900 troops died as British forces reclaimed the South Atlantic isles.
Argentina stars — including several who play in the Premier League — sparked anger by singing about the islands they called “Las Malvinas” after a dramatic 3-2 triumph over in the last-16.
The song, called Muchachos, refers to “the Malvinas lads whom I’ll never forget”. US and security chiefs were understood to be in high-level talks yesterday about managing the influx of thousands of bitterly opposed fans.
England supporters have also been fired up by aimed at keeping global superstar Messi in the tournament to boost revenues.
Argentina have been let off for a string of apparent infringements — including Messi escaping a possible red card against Algeria, while Egypt appeared to have been robbed of a goal in their last-16 tie.
There have also been clashes between fans — including reports of England and Argentina supporters brawling at the Norway game.
Bellingham was enjoying a well-earned rest with teammates yesterday after his heroics.
Tuchel’s squad flew back to its base at Kansas City following the exhausting game in sweltering Miami. The team relaxed with family but will be back at work today owing to the quick turnaround.
Tuchel said his team were “lucky” against Norway, and will need a big improvement to beat the holders.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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