England vs Argentina World Cup Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Three Lions can edge out reigning champions
England and Argentina face off at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for a dramatic World Cup semi-final clash. Both giants have struggled for consistent form, each narrowly advancing in previous knockout rounds. England's resilience and Argentina's reliance on Messi create an unpredictable contest, with recent trends highlighting vulnerability in both defenses. The best prediction is both teams to score and a draw at the end of 90 minutes, with a slight edge for England to progress. Full live streaming info available for fans eager to catch the action.
- England vs Argentina World Cup predictions for Wednesday's semi-final game
- Both teams unconvincing through the knockout phase
- BTTS tipped, with value on England advancing after extra-time
- The game is scheduled for kick off at 5.00am AEST on Thursday July 16
England v Argentina Live StreamWatch live online at bet365 > Soccer > World Cup 2026. T&Cs apply.
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England vs Argentina World Cup Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta will play host to the next chapter in one of international football's greatest rivalries as England and Argentina battle it out for a place in the 2026 World Cup final on Wednesday.
One of the most-anticipated matches of this World Cup after the draw was made has ultimately eventuated, with England and Argentina locking horns for the sixth time in this competition. Both nations have enjoyed bragging rights over the years, with England conquering Argentina on their way to their one and only World Cup triumph on home soil back in 1966, while Argentina and Diego Maradona turned the tables on that famous day at the Azteca in 1986. Argentina also knocked England out of the World Cup in 1998 on penalties before the Three Lions returned the favour with a win in the 2002 edition.
It sets the stage for a fiery showdown in Atlanta and honestly, this is anyone's game.
Argentina have been there for the taking this entire World Cup, but they have benefitted from an extremely soft draw, not facing any team ranked inside FIFA's top 15 in the rankings. La Albiceleste were forced into extra-time against Cape Verde and a 10-man Switzerland, while they were also made to recover from 2-0 down with 15 minutes remaining against Egypt in a match marred by VAR controversy. Argentina appear far too over-reliant on Lionel Messi and I'm not convinced at all going on their performances so far at this tournament.
But at the same time, England aren't really playing that much better. After an average group stage, Thomas Tuchel's side were trailing DR Congo with 15 minutes remaining, while they were also outplayed by Norway for large chunks of their quarter-final, with Jude Bellingham practically carrying this team on his back. The win over Mexico on their return to the Azteca was a brave performance, but extremely overhyped in terms of quality amidst the emotional outpour.
So overall, both teams have flattered to deceive and I'm not confident with either side heading into this contest. Defence is a big concern for each side, so both teams to score appeals as the best bet here, while a nervy draw at the end of 90 minutes also looks an attractive value option in the H2H market.
If England can't beat this version of Argentina then I don't know if they will ever return to a World Cup final. I'll tentatively back the Three Lions to rise to the occasion and advance in a historic night in Atlanta.
England vs Argentina Stats & Trends
- Argentina have seen BTTS land in their last four games
- England have seen BTTS land in their last three games
- Argentina have seen BTTS land in six of their last seven World Cup knockout games
- England saw BTTS land in all four of their Euro 2024 knockout games
- Argentina have been taken to extra-time in two of their three knockout games this World Cup
- England were involved in extra-time vs Norway in the quarter-finals
- Three of the last five meetings have ended in a draw after 90 mins, with the other two decided by a one-goal margin
England vs Argentina Head To Head
England have only lost three of their 14 previous meetings with Argentina, but two of those defeats came at the World Cup in 1986 and 1998. The Three Lions are unbeaten in the last three encounters, winning two - including the most-recent 3-2 in a 2005 friendly.
England Form Analysis
England have yet to put together a complete 90-minute performance at this World Cup, but they've got the job done and now stand one win away from returning to the final for the first time since their lone trophy in 1966.
You could argue that England's best display came in their opening 4-2 win over Croatia, which was followed by a 0-0 stalemate with Ghana and lacklustre 2-0 victory over Panama.
Thomas Tuchel's side were in huge danger of a World Cup boilover against a plucky DR Congo side in the R32, but Harry Kane stepped up with a brace in the last 15 minutes to hand England a 2-1 win.
Jude Bellingham has been the hero in England's last two fixtures, scoring a brace against both Mexico and Norway in the R16 and quarter-finals respectively, with the Three Lions holding on for dear life in a 3-2 victory in the former before squeaking out a 2-1 extra-time win in the latter.
So it's been far from perfect, but Tuchel is now on the cusp of becoming the first foreign manager in 48 years to guide a nation to a World Cup final.
England Team News
Bellingham has cemented himself as a world class player at this tournament, with his back-to-back braces drawing him level with Kane on six goals for the tournament.
Kane has all too often gone missing in big games throughout his career and that was the case again against Norway, where his blunder with the ball directly led to conceding the first goal. England will need big games from both here if they are to advance.
The problems at right back remain, with Jarell Quansah still suspended and Reece James battling injury, so expect Djed Spence to keep his spot. John Stones has been immense and his defensive positioning prevented Erling Haaland from a one-on-one opportunity in the first half of the Norway game.
England still need more from their wide men in Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka, while Declan Rice was battling illness and needed to be replaced at half-time in the quarter-finals.
England Squad
| Position | Player | Age | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Jordan Pickford | 32 | 90 | 0 | Everton |
| GK | Dean Henderson | 29 | 5 | 0 | Crystal Palace |
| GK | James Trafford | 23 | 2 | 0 | Manchester City |
| DF | Ezri Konsa | 28 | 26 | 1 | Aston Villa |
| DF | Nico O'Reilly | 21 | 11 | 0 | Manchester City |
| DF | John Stones | 32 | 93 | 3 | Unattached |
| DF | Marc Guéhi | 26 | 35 | 1 | Manchester City |
| DF | Trevoh Chalobah | 27 | 1 | 0 | Chelsea |
| DF | Dan Burn | 34 | 10 | 0 | Newcastle United |
| DF | Reece James | 26 | 27 | 1 | Chelsea |
| DF | Djed Spence | 25 | 12 | 0 | Tottenham Hotspur |
| DF | Jarell Quansah | 23 | 5 | 0 | Bayer Leverkusen |
| MF | Declan Rice (Vice-Captain) | 27 | 78 | 7 | Arsenal |
| MF | Elliot Anderson | 23 | 15 | 0 | Manchester City |
| MF | Jude Bellingham | 23 | 54 | 12 | Real Madrid |
| MF | Jordan Henderson | 36 | 91 | 3 | Brentford |
| MF | Kobbie Mainoo | 21 | 14 | 0 | Manchester United |
| MF | Morgan Rogers | 23 | 20 | 1 | Aston Villa |
| MF | Eberechi Eze | 28 | 21 | 3 | Arsenal |
| FW | Bukayo Saka | 24 | 55 | 14 | Arsenal |
| FW | Harry Kane (Captain) | 32 | 120 | 85 | Bayern Munich |
| FW | Marcus Rashford | 28 | 76 | 19 | Manchester United |
| FW | Anthony Gordon | 25 | 24 | 3 | Barcelona |
| FW | Ollie Watkins | 30 | 23 | 7 | Aston Villa |
| FW | Noni Madueke | 24 | 16 | 1 | Arsenal |
| FW | Ivan Toney | 30 | 8 | 1 | Al-Ahli |
Argentina Form Analysis
Argentina were handed one of the softest groups at this World Cup and they cruised through in top spot with routine victories over Algeria, Austria and Jordan.
Lionel Scaloni's side also had the fortune of landing in the weakest bracket of the knockout stage, but they haven't been able to dominate as you'd expect.
Indeed, Argentina were dragged into extra-time against Cape Verde before edging out a 3-2 victory, while they were forced to recover from 2-0 down against Egypt deep into the second-half before escaping with another 3-2 triumph.
After taking the lead early against Switzerland courtesy of an Alexis Mac Allister header, Argentina were outplayed by Switzerland and again needed extra-time, even with Breel Embolo sent off in the second-half for simulation.
Ultimately, Julien Alvarez stepped up with a spectacular strike in extra-time before Lautaro Martinez sealed the win late.
Argentina Team News
With Kylian Mbappe and France eliminated, Lionel Messi is favourite for the Golden Boot after scoring eight times at this World Cup, along with two assists - including for Mac Allister in the quarter-finals.
Scaloni will probably have a tough call to make in having to leave one of Alvarez and Martinez on the bench after both scored in extra-time against the Swiss.
Leandro Paredes and Cristian Romero looked to be carrying knocks, but should be good to go in defensive midfield and the centre of defence.
Argentina Squad
| Position | Player | Age | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Juan Musso | 32 | 4 | 0 | Atlético Madrid |
| GK | Gerónimo Rulli | 34 | 8 | 0 | Marseille |
| GK | Emiliano Martínez | 33 | 65 | 0 | Aston Villa |
| DF | Marcos Senesi | 29 | 4 | 0 | Tottenham Hotspur |
| DF | Nicolás Tagliafico | 33 | 81 | 1 | Lyon |
| DF | Gonzalo Montiel | 29 | 43 | 2 | River Plate |
| DF | Lisandro Martínez | 28 | 33 | 2 | Manchester United |
| DF | Valentín Barco | 21 | 5 | 2 | Strasbourg |
| DF | Cristian Romero | 28 | 56 | 4 | Tottenham Hotspur |
| DF | Nicolás Otamendi | 38 | 137 | 8 | River Plate |
| DF | Facundo Medina | 27 | 13 | 0 | Marseille |
| DF | Nahuel Molina | 28 | 63 | 1 | Atlético Madrid |
| MF | Leandro Paredes | 32 | 82 | 5 | Boca Juniors |
| MF | Rodrigo De Paul | 32 | 92 | 2 | Inter Miami |
| MF | Giovani Lo Celso | 30 | 68 | 5 | Betis |
| MF | Exequiel Palacios | 27 | 41 | 0 | Bayer Leverkusen |
| MF | Thiago Almada | 25 | 21 | 5 | Atlético Madrid |
| MF | Nico Paz | 21 | 11 | 1 | Como |
| MF | Alexis Mac Allister | 27 | 52 | 7 | Liverpool |
| MF | Enzo Fernández | 25 | 47 | 7 | Chelsea |
| FW | Julián Alvarez | 26 | 57 | 15 | Atlético Madrid |
| FW | Lionel Messi (Captain) | 39 | 205 | 125 | Inter Miami |
| FW | Nicolás González | 28 | 56 | 6 | Atlético Madrid |
| FW | Giuliano Simeone | 23 | 14 | 2 | Atlético Madrid |
| FW | José Manuel López | 25 | 7 | 0 | Palmeiras |
| FW | Lautaro Martínez | 28 | 83 | 39 | Internazionale |
England vs Argentina Live Stream
Watch and bet on England vs Argentina live football from the World Cup.
You can watch and bet on the match live at bet365 > Soccer > World Cup 2026 with the action available to stream on desktop and mobile.
Geo-restrictions apply, you'll need a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours to gain access.
To use the Live Streaming service you will need to be logged in and have a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. Note, under Australian law, Live Streaming on bet365 is exempt from Parts 3 and 4 of the Broadcasting Services (Online Content Service Provider Rules) 2018.
Verdict
Stop Lionel Messi and you stop Argentina. Easier said than done, but England should be taking advantage of this opportunity - I'm taking BTTS, a draw at the end of 90 & the Three Lions to advance after extra-time.
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