England vs Argentina: World Cup semi-final bet builder tips

Our prediction: England 1-1 Argentina (2-1 after extra-time)

England

Our predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford / James, Konsa, Guehi, O'Reilly / Rice, Anderson / Saka, Bellingham, Gordon / Kane

Argentina

Our predicted XI (4-4-2): E. Martinez / Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico / De Paul, Paredes, Mac Allister, Fernandez / Messi, Alvarez

The biggest England game in a generation is approaching as the Three Lions prepare to take on reigning World Cup holders Argentina in the semi-finals on Wednesday. Both teams have got here the hard way, needing extra-time to win their quarter-finals and relying more on individual inspiration than fluent performances throughout the tournament.

Thomas Tuchel's side showed their grit once again by coming from behind to beat Norway 2-1 after extra-time, with the sensational Jude Bellingham scoring twice again. That followed a memorable 3-2 win over Mexico at the Azteca in the last 16, after a late comeback saw them beat DR Congo 2-1 in a tense win. The main selection decisions revolve around whether Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Reece James will be fit enough to start the game.

It's been similarly tough for Argentina, who needed extra-time to see off Cape Verde 3-2 in the last 32 in one of the games of the tournament. La Albiceleste looked dead and buried when trailing 2-0 to Egypt with fifteen minutes remaining of their last 16 tie, before producing one of the all-time great World Cup comebacks to again win 3-2. In the quarter-finals, they again required the extra period to beat ten-man Switzerland 3-1, so both teams are battle-hardened.

The two nations are evenly-matched and have already experienced extra-time in these World Cup knockout stages, so we're predicting that England vs Argentina will finish level after 90 minutes.

Argentina's main man is undoubtedly still the one and only Lionel Messi, and he has lit up the World Cup with eight goals and two assists. He's joint-top of the Golden Boot race with Kylian Mbappe and one of the frontrunners to retain his Golden Ball from 2022 as well.

He has stepped up when his country have been on the brink on several occasions at this tournament, not least his equaliser in the dramatic comeback against Egypt, and the 39-year-old can still produce a moment of magic out of nothing. England have been unconvincing at the back, and we're tipping Messi to score again in a second consecutive World Cup semi-final.

England have battled through to the semi-finals in no small part due to their two biggest attacking stars, Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane. The pair have six goals apiece, with one of them scoring a brace in each of England's three knockout games.

The Three Lions' difference maker is Kane, with no country left in the tournament possessing an elite out-and-out number nine of his quality. The England skipper is averaging 2.2 shots on target per game at the World Cup, and we're backing Kane to have at least two shots on target against Argentina.

This is a fixture steeped in World Cup history and one of the great rivalries in international football. England and Argentina have met five times previously at the World Cup, with the Three Lions leading the head-to-head 3-2. Those two losses, of course, were the infamous 'Hand of God' in 1986 and David Beckham's red card in 1998. The last time the two countries played at a World Cup was in 2002, with England winning their group stage match 1-0. The overall record from 14 games played is six wins for England, three wins for Argentina and five draws.

History favours Argentina at this stage of a World Cup, with the South Americans winning all five of their semi-finals. England have won one of their three semi-finals, winning in 1966 but losing in 1990 and 2018 - all three went beyond 90 minutes.

In Messi, Argentina have arguably the tournament's standout player, and him and Julian Alvarez will cause problems for a leaky England defence. However, Lionel Scaloni's side have hardly been solid at the back themselves, and Kane is ruthless when presented with a chance.

The key battle could be in midfield, and unlike in the past at latter stages of major tournaments, England arguably have the advantage here. Jude Bellingham has been a force of nature in recent games, and if Declan Rice can be wrapped up in cotton wool him and Elliot Anderson are an elite midfield partnership. That trio have the power and technical ability to control the match.

Argentina play with a narrow midfield four, so it will be interesting to see how Thomas Tuchel manages that, but he showed against Croatia and Mexico the benefit of having a world-class tactician in charge. We think England have the more complete team and that this could be their time, with the right man in charge. We're predicting the Three Lions to qualify for their first World Cup final in 60 years.

You can bet on each of these markets individually, or combine them to create an England vs Argentina bet builder.

All odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.

View the latest World Cup odds.