As England and Argentina prepare to face off in a highly anticipated World Cup semifinal, a combined XI highlights the formidable talent each side brings to the pitch. The match, scheduled for July 15 at Atlanta Stadium, represents a significant contest for a spot in the final.
This fixture is more than just a sporting event; it carries the weight of historical World Cup encounters and broader political context between the two nations. Notably, this will be the first time Lionel Messi has played against England in his career.
Goalkeeper
Emiliano Martínez of Argentina earns a slight edge as the chosen goalkeeper due to his exceptional shot-stopping abilities. His crucial saves have been instrumental in Argentina's victories, including Copa América titles and the 2022 World Cup. His iconic save in the final moments of the 2022 World Cup final against Randal Kolo Muani, which preserved Argentina's lead and ultimately led to their penalty shootout victory, stands out.
Defense
The right-back position goes to England's Reece James, who is recognized as one of the world's best when healthy, despite past injury concerns. In central defense, Argentina's Cristian Romero is selected for his consistent reliability and role anchoring the back line for many years. He is paired with England's Marc Guéhi, who has provided a strong defensive presence for his national team. At left-back, Nico O’Reilly is chosen for his impressive technical ability and recovery speed, showcasing potential for future success.
Midfield
Argentina's Enzo Fernández is selected as the holding midfielder, recognized as one of the world's top midfielders, performing at a high level even in a deeper role. In central midfield, Alexis Mac Allister gets the nod for his winning mentality and crucial contributions to both Argentina's 2022 World Cup triumph and Liverpool's Premier League titles. He recently scored the decisive goal in Argentina's quarterfinal match. England's Declan Rice occupies the other central midfield role, valued for his all-around midfield contributions and set-piece delivery, despite facing illness during the tournament. Jude Bellingham of England is the attacking midfielder, having been one of the tournament's standout players with six goals, impressive ball-carrying, and late runs into the box.
Forwards
The forward line features Lionel Messi on the right, who has been the focal point of Argentina's offense with eight goals in six games. He is widely regarded as the greatest player of all time. Harry Kane of England takes the striker position, having had a phenomenal tournament with six goals and becoming England's all-time leading World Cup scorer. He has been a key player in carrying the England squad. Julián Álvarez of Argentina is also recognized for his quality and decisive play in the quarterfinals, though Kane receives the advantage in this selection.
The combined XI, in a 4-4-2 formation, is: Emiliano Martínez (GK), Reece James (RB), Cristian Romero (CB), Marc Guéhi (CB), Nico O’Reilly (LB), Enzo Fernández (CM), Alexis Mac Allister (CM), Declan Rice (CM), Jude Bellingham (CAM), Lionel Messi (RW), and Harry Kane (ST).