England vs Argentina, FIFA World Cup: Messi set for long-awaited first England clash in semifinal
Argentina is set to face England in a highly anticipated FIFA World Cup semifinal match in Atlanta. This game marks the first time Lionel Messi will compete against England in his long international career.
Why it matters
The match is a significant cultural and sporting event, drawing global attention due to the historic rivalry and the presence of one of football's most iconic players.
Lionel Messi has spent over two decades carving a path through international football, facing every World Cup -winning nation from Brazil to France, but one notable opponent has always been missing from the list: England.
That will change on Wednesday (July 15) when Argentina meet the European side in a World Cup semifinal in Atlanta, a heavyweight clash that Argentina's FA (AFA) described on its website as "the match fate owed Messi."
The 39-year-old Messi has played Brazil, Uruguay, Germany, Italy, Spain and France during his career, yet never crossed paths with England.
The closest he came was a friendly in Geneva in November 2005, the last time the two sides faced each other.
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