England vs Argentina — prediction, H2H & stats (Jul 15, 2026)

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford said ahead of the World Cup 2026 semi-final against Argentina that the team is taking things "step by step" and refusing to look past the next match, even though this marks a second World Cup semi-final and a third major tournament final run in a row for this generation. He noted this will be the first time England have ever faced Lionel Messi, but stressed the squad can't focus solely on him, since Argentina are a strong, hardworking team beyond just their captain.

Pickford praised opposing goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez as a top-level keeper, saying his "antics" are part of the game but that ultimately it comes down to making saves. He singled out Dan Burn, who came off the bench in the win over Mexico and made several crucial headed challenges and blocks, including one where he took a blow to the head.

Pickford acknowledged the historic rivalry between England and Argentina, including the 1986 and 1998 World Cup meetings, but said the current squad is focused purely on this game rather than past baggage. He also pointed out that Messi has missed two penalties at this World Cup, but doesn't believe that record will affect his confidence if he steps up in a decisive moment.

Pickford added that Argentina must also worry about England's own key threats, Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, not just about stopping Messi.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni held a pre-match press conference ahead of the World Cup 2026 semi-final against England, saying the squad approaches the game with immense enthusiasm and is not dwelling on physical fatigue after a demanding tournament run. He confirmed the starting lineup has not yet been decided and did not rule out changes, stressing that selection decisions are based on players' current form rather than past contributions.

Asked about parallels with the historic 1986 clash and Maradona, Scaloni said he had not focused on that specifically and insisted tomorrow's game is simply a football match, separate from the tragic history between the two countries. He said he had not discussed opponent-specific details with Messi or any of his Premier League-based players, noting the staff studies England's national team setup rather than club football.

Asked about an on-field exchange between De Paul and Paredes, he called such discussions a normal part of football and said pressing decisions ultimately rest with the players on the pitch. Scaloni also praised Spain for their final-day win, calling them deserving winners and pointing to their steady improvement through the tournament.

He closed by urging fans to enjoy the moment, framing reaching another World Cup semi-final as a major achievement in itself regardless of the result against England.