The 2026 World Cup semi-final has been beset by ‘many mistakes’ as the Three Lions legend issues a warning about Lionel Messi.
England and Argentina kicked off their World Cup semi-final on Wednesday as the hosts drew every two-and-a-half minutes to match the record for worst challenges at the 2026 edition.
Lionel Messi’s side were penalized by referee Ismail Elfath four times in the first 10 minutes in Atlanta – a record equaled by Sweden in their 3-0 loss to France in the last 32.
“It was a very early start,” former England striker Alan Shearer told BBC Sport. “There were too many mistakes.
“I would like to see England add more tempo to the game [Argentina will] caused them problems.”
England’s national anthem was drowned out by Argentina fans 😮 pic.twitter.com/5hrarWx1Ix
—BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 15, 2026
World Cup 2026: England vs Argentina tension
Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi was seen questioning Elfath and England’s Jude Bellingham was seen telling the official to elbow him after one tussle.
The incident was painful for the Three Lions midfielder, Eliot Anderson, who went down after headbutting Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez.
“If the pace is slower, it will suit Argentina more,” warned Shearer. “Like England, they have found ways to win games under pressure.”
The winners of this match will meet Spain in the World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday (20:00 BST), while the losers will meet France in the third-place play-off the day before (22:00).
World Cup 2026: Team England vs Argentina
England have made three changes, bringing in defenders Reece James and Djed Spence and Morgan Rogers in midfield for Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly and Noni Madueke.
England starting XI: Jordan Pickford, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Djed Spence, Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers, Harry Kane, Anthony Gordon
England substitute: Dean Henderson, James Trafford, Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly, Trevoh Chalobah, Dan Burn, Jordan Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Ollie Watkins, Noni Madueke, Ivan Toney
World Cup 2026: Team Argentina vs England
Giuliano Simeone took off Rodrigo De Paul as Argentina’s only change came in midfield.
De Paul was concussed against Switzerland in the quarter-finals but appeared unhurt afterwards.
Argentina starting XI: Emiliano Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico, Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nahuel Molina, Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi, Giuliano Simeone
Argentina instead: Juan Musso, Geronimo Rulli, Marcos Senesi, Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolas Otamendi, Facundo Medina, Rodrigo De Paul, Valentin Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Nico Gonzalez, Thiago Almada, Nico Paz, Jose Manuel Lopez, Lautaro Martinez
Where to watch England vs Argentina: TV channel, live streaming online
Kick-off on Wednesday was at 20:00 BST (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT). In the UK, live TV broadcasts on BBC One.
Live streaming on multiple devices is available via the BBC iPlayer app and the BBC Sport website.
World Cup 2026: England vs Argentina statistics
- England have lost two of their 14 matches against Argentina, won six and drawn six
- One of those games was their defeat on penalties in the last 16 of the 1998 World Cup following a 2-2 draw.
- Their last loss to La Albiceleste was a 2-1 loss in the quarterfinals in Mexico City in the 1986 World Cup.
- Jude Bellingham has scored twice in his last two World Cup games, with only Harry Kane (4) and Gary Lineker (3) having scored at least two goals in more games for the Three Lions in the competition.
- In World Cup history, the only midfielder to score at least two goals in more games than Bellingham is Peru’s Téofilo Cubillas (3)
- Argentina are in their sixth World Cup semi-final, advancing to each of the previous five stages in this stage.
- It is the sixth time that Argentina is playing against England in the World Cup, and they have faced Germany many times in this competition. They have also played against the Netherlands six times
- Their six-game winning streak in the 2026 edition represents their longest streak in tournament history.
- Lionel Scaloni’s side have scored exactly three goals in each of their last four games, ensuring they are on course to become only the second team in World Cup history to score at least three goals in five consecutive games, after France in 2022 and 2026.
- With 17 goals in this year’s World Cup, Argentina have scored the most goals of any team and are just shy of equaling their best of 18, which they managed in the 1930 final.
