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England will face Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday, July 15 at Atlanta Stadium, with both nations competing for a place in the final. It’s an intercontinental rivalry shaped by memorable World Cup encounters and intensified by off-field political tensions.
The two countries have not met since 2005, and this will also be the first time in Lionel Messi’s illustrious career that he has played against England. The Three Lions have one of the most talented squads in the tournament, while Argentina is full of players who understand what it takes to win at the highest level.
Below is our England-Argentina combined XI ahead of Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final:
Formation: 4-4-2
Goalie
Both Premier League goalkeepers have been between the posts for their respective nations in multiple major international tournaments, and both have been instrumental to the success of their national teams past and present.
Emiliano Martínez gets the slight nod as the better blocker of the two. He has been a great performer for Argentina, which has won two Copa América titles and a World Cup, including massive performances in the penalty shootout.
Of course, his most iconic moment came in the final minute of extra time in the 2022 World Cup final, when he made the save of a lifetime against Randal Kolo Muani. That stop kept Argentina alive, who won the final on penalties.
Verdict: Emiliano Martínez, Argentina
Right back
Nahuel Molina continues to command the right back position for Argentina and scored a great goal in the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup against the Netherlands.
But Reece James, despite being hit at times, gets the nod pretty clearly. When healthy, James is widely recognized as one of the best right backs in world football.
Verdict: Reece James
Right central defense
Ezri Konsa has been versatile for England, playing as a central defender alongside Marc Guéhi while also providing cover at right back due to England’s injuries and suspensions in that area. His versatility has been important for Thomas Tuchel.
However, Cristian Romero gets the nod as he has been the anchor of Argentina’s defensive line for many years and remains one of this team’s most reliable defenders.
Verdict: Cristian Romero
Left center back
Marc Guéhi moved to Manchester City in January and completely changed the landscape of a defense that had been struggling. He has provided that necessary defensive backbone for England, consistently performing as one of their most reliable centre-backs throughout this World Cup and the last European Championship.
Lisandro Martínez’s ball-playing ability and physicality are key for Argentina, but Guéhi gets the nod here.
Verdict: Marc Guehi
Back Left
Nicolás Tagliafico feels that he has been part of this Argentine team for decades and has always been that constant piece on the left side of his team.
But on a technical level, Nico O’Reilly is truly out of this world. Even as a converted midfielder, he has demonstrated his recovery speed and ability to handle the defensive demands of playing as a full-back.
O’Reilly is one of those young people in this World Cup who is showing that he can reach the top.
Verdict: Nico O’Reilly
Holding midfielder
Elliot Anderson’s ability off the ball, along with his passing range, has been important for England while playing in that double pivot. He looks like one of those players who will be involved in the English set-up for a long time.
But Enzo Fernández is one of the best midfielders in the world. He is playing a slightly deeper role than he usually plays at Chelsea, but he is still doing it at a high level.
Enzo gets the nod in this one, but Anderson is an adequate player.
Verdict: Enzo Fernández
Left central midfielder
Due to training problems, Anthony Gordon is listed as a left central midfielder and has shown signs of why Barcelona brought him to the club for $80 million.
But Alexis Mac Allister has to get the nod because he’s the winner. He played a huge role in Argentina’s victory in the 2022 World Cup and Liverpool’s victory in the Premier League, doing all the dirty work in midfield while also having the ability to be a threat in the future.
He showed it again in the quarterfinals against Switzerland, scoring the go-ahead goal in the 10th minute.
In those big games, you want Mac Allister on your team.
Verdict: Alexis Mac Allister
Good Central midfielder
After winning the Premier League, Declan Rice would love to double down on his career by adding a World Cup to his CV.
Playing in the double pivot with Elliot Anderson has been important for England, especially early in the tournament, and his set-piece execution has also been a real weapon.
Rice has had to deal with illness during the tournament, but on his day he is still considered one of the best midfielders in the world. For that reason, he gets the nod over Leandro Paredes, who was introduced into Argentina’s starting lineup as the tournament unfolded.
Verdict: Declan Rice
Central attacking midfielder
Jude Bellingham has been one of the players of the tournament, scoring six goals as a midfielder while also providing ball carrying ability, doing the dirty work in midfield and still having the ability to make late runs into the box and score goals.
He has been doing everything for England. And even though Rodrigo De Paul had a solid tournament and raised the level we’ve seen from him at Inter Miami, Bellingham has a clear advantage in this one.
Verdict: Jude Bellingham
Right forward
This is one of the most lopsided conversations in this combined XI.
Lionel Messi has eight goals in six games, and everything Argentina does in the future goes through him. He is widely recognized as the best to ever do it and continues to be the focal point of this Argentine team.
Madueke, who is likely to only play for England due to Saka’s fitness, has been quite disappointing on multiple occasions this tournament, including being substituted at half-time of the quarter-final match against Norway.
Messi has a clear and wide advantage over Madueke in this one.
Verdict: Lionel Messi
Front left
Harry Kane has had a phenomenal tournament, scoring six goals in this World Cup and becoming England’s all-time leading scorer in the World Cup.
He scored a crucial double against the Democratic Republic of the Congo that saved England and allowed them to remain here today. Kane and Jude Bellingham have done an incredibly heavy lift for this England team.
Julián Álvarez had a quiet start to the tournament, but it was only a matter of time before his quality was noticed. He produced a brilliant moment of magic against Switzerland late in extra time to put Argentina ahead 2-1 and earn them a thrilling quarter-final.
Alvarez is a very good player, but Kane has the advantage in this one.
Verdict: Harry Kane
Final combined XI for Argentina and England
GK: Emiliano Martínez
RB: James Reece
CB: Christian Romero
CB: Marc Guéhi
pound: Nico O’Reilly
CENTIMETER: Enzo Fernandez
CENTIMETER: Alexis Mac Allister
CENTIMETER: Declan Rice
CAM: Judas Bellingham
YOU: Lionel Messi
STREET: Harry Kane
