England face Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday for a place in the World Cup final, renewing one of football’s fiercest rivalries after more than two decades since their last meeting.
At the heart of it sits a fascinating individual battle, Lionel Messi leads the Golden Boot race on eight goals, while Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham sit just behind on six apiece, the first time in World Cup history two players from the same country have both reached six goals in the same tournament.
Argentina arrive as reigning champions with a perfect record at this stage of the competition, having progressed from all five of their previous World Cup semi-finals. They have also scored 17 goals so far, the most of any side, sitting one shy of their best ever tally, with Messi directly responsible for eight of them.
England, meanwhile, are already matching a huge marker of their own, reaching a fourth major semi-final since 2018, as many as they managed in their entire history before that.
Bellingham has been in irresistible form in the knockout rounds, scoring in back to back matches, while Kane will earn his 121st cap, the most of any England outfield player.
Photo: REUTERS/Paul Childs
