Adwaidh Rajan
BBC Sport

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There are very few things Lionel Messi has not done on a football pitch.

But the semi-final meeting between Argentina and England at 20:00 BST on Wednesday in Atlanta, live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, will provide the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner with an altogether new experience.

Despite making more than 200 appearances and scoring 125 goals for Argentina, Messi has never faced the Three Lions on the international stage.

It looked for a spell that the 39-year-old may be denied his first meeting with Thomas Tuchel's side when Switzerland appeared to be holding the momentum in Saturday's quarter-final tie - but Argentina eventually ran out 3-1 winners in extra time.

Messi failed to score for the first time this tournament in that victory, though he still leads the Golden Boot race alongside France's Kylian Mbappe having scored eight times, and is the World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer.

"England can outrun Argentina but they just have that little genius Messi. They all play for him. Everyone should be excited," said BBC pundit Micah Richards.

"Marking him is impossible because he doesn't run back. He goes into little spaces where he shouldn't really be. He switches on at the right times [and] he's got the best technique. His spatial awareness is fantastic. He's got a great shot.

"Most importantly, he's got what Jude's [Bellingham] got and that's what makes Jude so great, he's got personality and aura.

"Messi has the most aura out of any footballer. Messi's aura is just next level, so it's going to be interesting."

So, in the history of England's World Cup matches against the South American side, the Three Lions have just edged it with three wins to Argentina's two.

But things will be different this time, as Argentina prepare to play their favourite 5 ft 7 ace...

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On Wednesday, England will face World Cup holders Argentina in Atlanta for a place in the final.

It's been 24 years - or six World Cups - since David Beckham's first-half penalty gave England a Group F victory over Argentina at Korea Japan 2002.

It was the fifth time that the sides have come up against each other at a World Cup finals:

England 3-1 Argentina - 1962

England 1-0 Argentina - 1966

Argentina 2-1 England - 1986

Argentina 2-2 England (4-3 on pens) 1998

England 1-0 Argentina - 2002

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Argentina's quarter-final win against Switzerland extended manager Lionel Scaloni's unbeaten run against Uefa opposition to 10 games.

The 48-year-old, who took charge of his national team in 2018, has led Argentina to seven wins and three draws in his last ten matches against European sides.

If he can go 12 games unbeaten, then he will have won himself another World Cup - since only European nations remain in the competition, along with Argentina.

Can England be the team to interrupt Scaloni's run?

Jobi McAnuff
Former Crystal Palace and Reading winger on ITV

Julian Alvarez's goal was just absolutely phenomenal.

As soon as he picks up the ball, there was only one thing on his mind.

A magnificent effort.

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Julian Alvarez was among the names in the conversation for this year's Golden Boot ahead of the tournament, having scored 20 goals in all competitions for Atletico Madrid this season.

But Alvarez, who announced his wish to leave Atletico last month, has been quiet in front of goal - until last night.

In extra time against Switzerland, Alvarez scored his first World Cup goal since his double against Croatia helped Argentina reach the final in 2022.

And he did so in style, curling the ball into the top corner from outside of the box to give his side the lead in extra time.

Four of the former Manchester City man's five career World Cup goals have been scored in knockout games; he is tied with Diego Maradona for the second-most by an Argentinian player behind only Lionel Messi, who has seven.

Switzerland's Breel Embolo became the first player to be sent off as a result of a new law for mistaken identity at this summer's World Cup.

Embolo, booked in the first half, was sent off after 72 minutes of his country's quarter-final defeat by Argentina following a second yellow card for simulation.

The caution was initially handed to Argentina's Leandro Paredes for what at first appeared a clumsy challenge, until the video assistant referee (VAR) intervened to send referee Joao Pinheiro to the monitor.

On review, the official deemed Embolo to have dived.

The Switzerland forward was distraught to be shown a red card with his side having levelled against the defending world champions just five minutes earlier.

Embolo, 29, left the pitch in Kansas City in tears, consoled by his team-mates, but there was limited sympathy from pundits watching.

"I feel for Embolo's team-mates, I don't feel for him. He has cost his team maybe getting through to the semi-finals," said former Major League Soccer striker Bradley Wright-Phillips on ITV.

After taking the lead Argentina failed to turn the screw, paving the way for Switzerland's Dan Ndoye to level the score from a tight angle in the 67th minute.

The Nottingham Forest winger became the fourth Switzerland player to score multiple goals at this year’s FIFA World Cup, joining Johan Manzambi, Breel Embolo and Rubén Vargas.

It's only the second time that multiple Swiss players have scored more than one goal at a World Cup finals, after Josef Hugi and Robert Ballamann did it in 1954.

Argentina set their intent early against Switzerland as Alexis Mac Allister glanced in a delicate header with ten minutes on the clock.

It was a disappointing way for Switzerland to go behind - for the first time at the tournament - as all 5 ft 9 of Mac Allister rose higher than the Swiss defence at a corner to open the scoring.

Moments before, Mac Allister had fired a warning shot from a corner on the opposite side, heading the ball wide of Gregor Kobel's goal.

The Liverpool midfielder's opener is the fastest goal that Argentina have scored so far at this tournament.

Emma Smith
BBC Sport journalist

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Argentina will face England in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup after a dramatic victory over Switzerland in sweltering Kansas City.

Julian Alvarez settled a controversial match in extra time with a moment of brilliance, curling an unstoppable 25-yard effort past Swiss keeper Gregor Kobel to set up the meeting with Thomas Tuchel's side – a match that will be shown live on the BBC.

It was heartbreak for Switzerland, who had defended valiantly after being reduced to 10 men during the second half in dramatic circumstances.

Star striker Breel Embolo was dramatically given a second yellow card for diving following a video assistant referee review.

Embolo initially appeared to be fouled near the half-way line by Leandro Paredes, who was booked. However the referee was called by VAR to check under the mistaken identity rule, with the replay showing the Swiss player had clearly simulated contact.

The Paredes booking was quashed and Embolo, who had already been booked, was sent off to his distress and Swiss outrage.

Just five minutes before Embolo was dismissed, Switzerland had deservedly equalised having been the better team for much of this game against the reigning world champions.

Argentina may have anticipated a cruise to the last four when Alexis Mac Allister flicked home Lionel Messi's corner at the near post with just 10 minutes gone.

But they failed to press their advantage and Switzerland built into the game before Nottingham Forest winger Dan Ndoye struck after 67 minutes.

Ndoye cut in from the left, played a one-two with Ricardo Rodriguez and tucked his finish through the legs of Emiliano Martinez.

But Argentina assumed dominance after the Embolo red, and after long periods of struggle were blessed by Alvarez's moment of genius.

Switzerland pushed for a second leveller, but they were caught on the counter and Lautaro Martinez slotted home as Argentina kept their bid for back to back World Cups alive.

England's quarter final comeback against Norway means they are now just one win away from a World Cup final.

Their opponent for the next round was also decided last night, in Kansas City.

Let's take a look at how England's semi-final opposition was decided.

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England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

The Three Lions progressed by beating Norway 2-1 in the quarter-finals in Miami on Saturday.

Their last-four tie will be played at the Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday, 15 July (20:00 BST).

European champions Spain will face 2022 runners-up France in the other semi-final.

That match - in Dallas on Tuesday, 14 July (20:00) - will be shown on ITV.

The final will be played at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, 19 July (20:00).

Live radio commentary from every match of the World Cup will be available on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds, with live text coverage and expert analysis on the BBC Sport website and app.

For fans unable to stay up for all the matches, spoiler-free highlights are available on iPlayer and the BBC Football YouTube channel, external each morning.

BBC Sport's new interactive 3D experience is available for all live BBC TV matches on the BBC Sport website and app, and in replay mode for ITV games.

We are sure that, like us, Prince William and Sir Keir Starmer would like to know how to follow the action in England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday, assuming they are not planning on attending the match...

Prince William has taken to social media, external to give his reaction to the result:

Well done England! Top performance in a tough environment. This is a special team. Commiserations to a proud Norway team. Onto the semi final… Never in doubt!

As a word of explanation, this is an example of Prime Minister bantz.

Jonas Gahr Store is Sir Keir Starmer's ministerial equivalent in Norway.

Also, press the play icon below to learn more about Bjorge Lillelien' famous commentary.

Apparently, according to a Norwegian reporter on BBC Radio 5 Live yesterday, Norway football fans never finish a night on the town without joining together to recite the commentary in full.

The result when Norway gave England "one hell of a beating" in their World Cup qualifier in 1981?

2-1 to Norway, of course...

Here's the current Prime Minister's reaction to England's victory, posting on X, external a reference to Bjorge Lillelien's famous commentary from Norway's victory over England in 1981:

Norway 1 - 2 Jude Bellingham.

Jonas Gahr Store, your boys took one hell of [a] beating.

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That explosion of joy and relief felt by England fans inside the Miami Stadium was shared by the many supporters who attended watch parties back home...

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