Argentina lineup vs. England: Predicted XI for World Cup 2026 semi-final as stars fight to partner Lionel Messi

Still successful the hunt for back-to-back World Cup wins, Argentina volition clash with aged foes England connected Wednesday, erstwhile the brace conscionable for a perchance classical semi-final successful Atlanta, Georgia.

The reigning champions are expected to sanction a acquainted starting XI, contempt lone scraping past underdogs Cape Verde and Egypt successful the archetypal 2 knockout rounds, past eliminating 10-man Switzerland aft other time.

Captain and talisman Lionel Messi volition pb the broadside retired erstwhile again, having seen his agelong goalscoring streak yet brought to an extremity - albeit helium inactive registered different World Cup assistance against the Swiss.

Despite missing 2 penalties, the 39-year-old maestro has struck 8 times truthful far; the lone South American subordinate to people much astatine 1 planetary finals was Brazil’s Ademir, who netted 9 backmost successful 1950.

Alongside Messi successful his quest to triumph an epic Golden Boot race, either Julian Alvarez oregon Lautaro Martinez volition bash the hard moving required to assistance their strolling skipper - caput manager Lionel Scaloni has a pugnacious prime to make.

Both strikers scored successful other clip past weekend, though the second started and could support his place. Meanwhile, towering targetman Flaco Lopes, who acceptable up that stunning Alvarez extremity against Switzerland, offers a precocious enactment from the bench.

While the backmost 4 seems settled, Facundo Medina is pushing to regenerate Nicolas Tagliafico connected the near flank; Nahuel Molina should enactment up connected the right, with Premier League brace Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero successful the centre.

Molina's Atletico Madrid teammate Thiago Almada made an interaction aft appearing arsenic a substitute connected Saturday, but with containing Jude Bellingham successful mind, Leandro Paredes offers a much pragmatic beingness and is acceptable to articulation the accustomed midfield trio of Enzo Fernandez, Rodrigo De Paul and Alexis Mac Allister.

Argentina imaginable starting lineup: E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Messi, La. Martinez

> Click present to spot however England could enactment up for their World Cup semi-final against Argentina