England to face Lionel Messi’s Argentina in World Cup semi-final grudge match after massive win over Norway

ENGLAND will have to dethrone Lionel Messi and Argentina to keep their World Cup dreams alive. The Three Lions edged past Norway 2-1 in an extra-time nailbiter on Saturday night. Jude Bellingham was the man for the big moment once again as his stunning double kept fans believing football is finally coming home. But now Thomas Tuchel’s side face the ultimate football test – a first EVER showdown with the little Argentine magician. Messi’s defending champions got another huge slice of luck, needing 120 minutes to beat 10-man Switzerland after Breel Embolo’s controversial red card. And England fans will be licking their lips at the prospect of the ultimate football grudge match against their bitter South American rivals. Read more on England England and Argentina have not played each other at all since 2005, with young Messi not making the squad. The countries have played out some of the most controversial games in World Cup history. In 1986, Diego Maradona’s famous ‘Hand of God’, followed by one of the best goals of all time, sent England packing. While in 1998 the Three Lions were downed on penalties after THAT David Beckham red card for a tiny kick at Diego Simeone. Most read in Football WORLD CUP 2026 FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS But England DID beat the Argies on their route to glory in 1966. And in their most recent World Cup showdown, Beckham got his revenge with a winning penalty in the 2002 group stage. Now we know that either Bellingham or Messi will be facing one of Frace of Spain in the final in New York next Sunday. Who do England play next at World Cup 2026 if they beat Norway? England will take on defending champions Argentina who beat Switzerland after extra time. The final four encounter takes place on Wednesday, July 15 at the Atlanta Stadium. And the match will get underway at 8pm BST / 3pm ET in Atlanta. Stream the match through Proton VPN for £2.39 a month *If you click on a link in this article, we will earn affiliate revenue. Using a VPN keeps your streaming speeds fast and your browsing entirely private. No data caps, no artificial throttling, just uninterrupted football. Proton are offering 70% off, bringing the monthly price down to just £2.39. Secure your device, beat the buffering, and enjoy the football in peace. Key dates for knockout stages The final beckons for England if they beat their semi-final opponents. This year’s World Cup final in the UK will begin at 8pm BST, which is 3pm in the US. England have two potential opponents in the final; France or Spain. - Semi-finals: July 14-15 - Third-place play-off: July 18 - Final: July 19