Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 10:38am on 13 Jul 2026,Monday Sports
Argentina captain Lionel Messi has admitted that facing England for the first time at a FIFA World Cup is "special" as the two football giants prepare for their semifinal clash. Speaking ahead of the match, Messi said encounters between Argentina and England always carry extra significance because of their history and rivalry. However, he stressed that the team's focus remains on reaching another World Cup final. Defending champions Argentina booked their place in the last four after defeating Switzerland, while England advanced by beating Norway. The much-anticipated semifinal will decide who earns a place in the 2026 World Cup final.