With the tournament down to its final three contenders, Argentina’s path to defending its title runs directly through England in the semifinal, with Spain already waiting in Sunday’s final after eliminating France 2-0.
Argentina’s Strengths
Argentina’s greatest asset remains its knockout-round experience, having already survived three consecutive high-pressure matches, including comebacks against both Cape Verde and Egypt. Lionel Messi’s continued influence, even in matches where he doesn’t score, as shown by his assist in the quarterfinal win over Switzerland, gives Argentina a level of composure few teams can match.
Argentina’s Weaknesses
The team’s knockout matches have consistently gone to extra time or required late comebacks, raising real questions about fitness and depth heading into a semifinal against a similarly resilient England side. Defensive lapses, including falling behind twice against Cape Verde and 2-0 against Egypt, suggest vulnerabilities that a clinical opponent could exploit.
The Threat From England
England has shown a near-identical pattern of gritty, late-match resilience, including Jude Bellingham’s extra-time brace against Norway in the quarterfinals. Harry Kane and Bellingham have combined for the vast majority of England’s goals this tournament, giving Argentina clear individual threats to plan around.
The Threat Already Confirmed: Spain
Spain’s commanding 2-0 semifinal win over France, a team that had won every match without needing extra time, confirmed Spain as a formidable opponent regardless of who joins them in Sunday’s final. Their disciplined defense and pattern of late, decisive substitutions make them a difficult side to break down.
The Bottom Line
Argentina’s path forward depends on managing fatigue and finding an edge over an England team built in a remarkably similar mold, with an even sterner test awaiting in Spain should they advance to the final.
