Argentina’s real test comes in semifinal clash against England: Previous matches were mere walkovers
By Ascah Mwango, July 12, 2026Defending FIFA World Cup champions Argentina head into the 2026 semifinals against England with a perfect record, but Sunday’s showdown could prove to be their toughest challenge yet.
While Lionel Scaloni’s men have won every match to reach the last four, much of their journey has come against lower-ranked opposition before a series of dramatic knockout escapes.
England, on the other hand, has navigated one of the tournament’s toughest routes, overcoming several highly competitive opponents to book a place in the semifinals.
Argentina’s relatively comfortable route
Argentina dominated Group J, winning all three of their group matches to finish top of the standings.
Argentina vs Austria 2-0
Argentina vs Jordan 3-1
Argentina vs Algeria 3-0
The group campaign allowed Argentina to build momentum without facing any of the tournament’s traditional heavyweights.
However, the knockout rounds presented far greater challenges.
Round of 32: Cape Verde
Cape Verde pushed Argentina to the limit in one of the biggest surprises of the tournament.
The underdogs forced the defending champions into extra time before Argentina eventually escaped with a narrow 3-2 victory.
Round of 16: Egypt
Argentina again found themselves in trouble after Egypt raced into a stunning 2-0 lead.
Scaloni’s side produced a remarkable second-half comeback, scoring three goals, including the winner in stoppage time, to secure another 3-2 victory.
Quarterfinal: Switzerland
Switzerland became the latest side to frustrate Argentina.
After the match ended 1-1 in regulation time, Argentina found another gear in extra time, scoring twice to secure a 3-1 victory and book a semifinal date with England.
England’s difficult journey
Unlike Argentina, England has faced a far more demanding route to the semifinals.
Thomas Tuchel’s side remains unbeaten after six matches, but every knockout fixture has tested the Three Lions.
England’s campaign began in Group L, where they collected seven points.
Their group-stage results included:
A 4-2 victory over Croatia.
A goalless draw against Ghana.
A 2-0 win over Panama.
England’s knockout campaign has required resilience, comebacks and extra-time heroics.
Round of 32: DR Congo
England came from behind thanks to two late Harry Kane goals to edge DR Congo 2-1.
Round of 16: Mexico
The Three Lions survived a thrilling encounter against Mexico, winning 3-2 despite finishing the match with 10 men.
Quarterfinal: Norway
England’s biggest statement came against Norway, the team that had earlier eliminated five-time world champions Brazil.
Jude Bellingham scored a spectacular brace in extra time as England claimed a dramatic 2-1 victory in Miami.
Semifinal promises heavyweight battle
With both teams now one match away from the World Cup final, Sunday’s semifinal is widely expected to be one of the biggest clashes of the tournament.
Argentina enters the contest aiming to defend the title it won in 2022, while England is chasing its first World Cup crown since 1966.
Although Argentina has survived several scares in the knockout rounds, England arguably represents the strongest opponent the South Americans have faced at the tournament.
The semifinal will pit Lionel Messi and Argentina’s experience against an England side that has repeatedly shown its ability to fight through adversity, setting the stage for a blockbuster encounter with a place in the FIFA World Cup final at stake.