Argentina Reach the World Cup Semi-Finals — and England Await

Latin America · World Cup

Argentina are two wins from another World Cup. The holders beat Switzerland in extra time to reach the semi-finals as Latin America’s last team — and their reward is England, in one of football’s most storied rivalries.

How they got here

In sweltering Kansas City, Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 after extra time to reach the last four. Alexis Mac Allister headed them ahead early, before Switzerland levelled and then lost a man to a red card.

The tie turned on a moment of quality from Julián Álvarez, who curled a shot into the top corner from outside the box in the 112th minute. Lautaro Martínez added a third to settle it, and Argentina marched on.

England next, and the history

Argentina now face England in Atlanta on Wednesday, July 15, at 3pm Eastern, the last of the semi-finals. It is a fixture with more history than almost any other in the game.

The two met at the 1986 World Cup, where Diego Maradona scored both his infamous handball goal and one of the tournament’s greatest solo strikes. For fans on both sides, this is far more than another match.

The bracket

The other semi-final pits France against Spain in the Dallas area on Tuesday, the top two ranked teams in the world. The winners meet in the final in the New York area on Sunday, July 19.

With Brazil, Mexico, Colombia and the rest all out, Argentina carry Latin America alone into the last four. A place in the final would cap a run that began with a scare against Cape Verde.

Where to watch

Buenos Aires will be the epicentre, with the free Fan Fest at Plaza Seeber and screens across the city. Elsewhere in the region, Rio, São Paulo, Bogotá and Mexico City run neutral fan zones for the closing matches.

Kickoff is mid-afternoon Eastern time, so confirm the hour in your own zone. Expect bars and squares to fill early on Wednesday.

What it means

For expat fans, it is a rare chance to watch a regional side in a World Cup semi-final, with a place in the final on the line. Whatever happens, Wednesday will be the biggest football day the region has had in years.

For Argentines abroad in particular, an England semi-final carries a charge that needs no explanation. Plan for a long, loud evening wherever you are watching.

Frequently Asked Questions