Messi set for first England meeting in Atlanta semi-final
Lionel Messi will face England for the first time in his career on Wednesday, a historic fixture that will command massive public attention as a major broadcast event.
Argentina will play England at 20:00 BST on Wednesday in Atlanta for a place in the final. For Lionel Messi, the 39-year-old Inter Miami forward, it represents a stark anomaly in a record-breaking career. Despite over 200 caps and 125 goals for his country, he has never previously faced the Three Lions.
Broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, the semi-final represents a significant media event that will dominate public life in the UK. It renews a fierce rivalry defined by Diego Maradona’s "Hand of God" at the 1986 World Cup and David Beckham’s red card in Saint-Etienne 12 years later. This is the first meeting between the two nations in almost 21 years.
Messi’s absence from the only previous meeting this century—a 3-2 England friendly win in Geneva in 2005 secured by Michael Owen’s late double—was due to a suspension. He had been sent off just 30 seconds into his debut against Hungary for swinging his arm at defender Vilmos Vanczak.
Analysts suggest England, managed by Thomas Tuchel, have a structural advantage but must negotiate a singular threat. "I think Thomas Tuchel and the England players will be relishing the prospect of playing this Argentina team in its current guise, its current form, because this isn't a great Argentina team but they do have a habit of finding a way," said Chris Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Wayne Rooney noted on BBC Sport that Messi’s reluctance to track back creates a defensive vulnerability. "He can be a weakness defensively for Argentina," Rooney said. "He doesn't run back, but he has big moments a bit like with Jude Bellingham. He has big moments and moments of quality. The thing with Messi is his decision-making â he comes to life in moments of the game and he makes the right decision."
Containing the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner requires extreme discipline. "Marking Lionel Messi is about concentration and communication. Communicating with your team-mates about picking up positions you might not usually pick up," Rooney added.
Messi heads into the match tied with France’s Kylian Mbappe on eight goals after a goalless performance in Argentina's 3-1 extra-time quarter-final victory over Switzerland. "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.
The fixture also carries profound cultural weight for South American supporters. "Lionel Messi couldn't possibly end an international career, over 200 matches, without playing the team that Argentina fans see as their biggest rival," said Tim Vickery on 5 Live. "During the second half, the fans were bouncing up and down singing 'he who doesn't jump is an Englishman'. You'll be hearing a lot, lot more of that on Wednesday."
