Messi and Bellingham headline World Cup semifinal spectacle
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Atlanta — Argentina will face England in the World Cup semifinal on Wednesday, with Lionel Messi and Jude Bellingham headlining the matchup. Messi, age 39 and the World Cup's all-time top scorer with 21 goals, is playing England for the first time in his career, and both players have driven their teams to the final four.
The winner of Wednesday's match will advance to play Spain on Sunday; teams and broadcasters are preparing this week for the high-profile fixture, and England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford publicly acknowledged Messi's enduring quality in pregame comments. Tactical plans are expected to emphasize containing each nation's primary No. 10 while maximizing attacking opportunities.
More context
Timeline
- 1. Both teams progressed through earlier tournament rounds to reach the semifinals.
- 2. Messi accumulated 21 World Cup goals, becoming the tournament's all-time top scorer.
- 3. Pre-match quotations were published, including comments from England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
- 4. The Argentina–England World Cup semifinal is scheduled in Atlanta on Wednesday.
- 5. The semifinal winner will advance to play Spain on Sunday.
Why it matters
This match is a historic moment in sports. Messi, the World Cup's top scorer, is playing England for the first time. If you're a soccer fan, it's a must-watch. Check your local listings for broadcast times and channels.
Sources
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