England stands on the brink of its most significant footballing achievement in sixty years as Gareth Southgate's side prepares for a World Cup semi-final that carries the weight of generations.
The match against Argentina in New Jersey is the first World Cup meeting between the two nations since 1998, when David Beckham's red card and a penalty shootout defeat etched itself into English football's catalogue of pain. That history, layered over the deeper political and cultural rivalry between the countries, has made this the most anticipated match of the tournament.
Southgate, who missed the decisive penalty in the Euro 96 semi-final against Germany, has transformed England's relationship with tournament football. Under his leadership, England has reached a World Cup semi-final, two European Championship finals and now another World Cup semi-final. The narrative of heroic failure that defined English football for decades has been replaced by an expectation of competence.
The team arrives in New Jersey on the back of a quarter-final performance against Belgium that was widely described as the most complete England display in a knockout match since 1966. Jude Bellingham, the 23-year-old midfielder who has become the team's creative fulcrum, has been the player of the tournament by a distance. Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden have provided width and cutting edge, and the defence has conceded only two goals in five matches.
Argentina, the defending champions, will be England's most formidable test. Lionel Messi, now 39, is playing in his final World Cup and has been in sublime form. The match is, by any measure, the biggest England have played since the World Cup final sixty years ago.
Join in — free. Comments on Daily Junction are for members, so real names stay rare and bots stay out.
One field. We email you a 6-digit code — no password needed. Your comment is kept while you do it.
Under 13? You’ll need a parent’s OK first — it takes them one click.