Both these teams have scrapped, recovered from being down and held their nerves when it most mattered to get this far, so they have plenty in common when they face each other in Atlanta for a place in the final.
There’s lots of history between these two and this could be a fascinating encounter, so here’s the team news, head-to-head record, some trivia and the all-important betting tip before they get underway.
Put Your Money on BTTS in Atlanta
Given the stat above about both teams’ six knockout matches all being BTTS games, it’s quite surprising you can get 1.87 on both teams to score here.
It’s now four matches in a row for Argentina where both teams have scored, given their final Group game against Jordan finished 3-1, while England are four from six for BTTS games after their opening game against Croatia ended 4-2.
The long-term stats on the head-to-head suggest goals at both ends, too.
As does common sense. Both sides have been better going forward than at the back, and this could end up being a high-scoring game where over 3.5 goals at 4.5 could be in business. But we’ll take the slightly more conservative ‘both teams to score’ option at 1.87.
- Best bet: BTTS Yes
- Odds: 1.87 (at the time of writing)
- Key Stat: ‘Both teams to score’ (BTTS) has been a winner in each of the six knockout games these two have played at this World Cup and also in seven of the last nine games played between them, going back to 1966.
England
Not all big tournaments are won with a string of flawless performances where a team keeps on winning matches comfortably. In some cases, teams grind their way to the semis, winning games by the skin of their teeth and maybe going on to win the final via a penalty shootout or extra-time goal. And that may just be the blueprint that England are following.
They had to come from 1-0 down against DR Congo to win 2-1 and overcame a late onslaught after being down to ten men against Mexico to eventually win 3-2. As if that wasn’t enough, they also had to come from 1-0 down against Norway at the weekend, having Jude Bellingham to thank for his two goals to get them over the line. Good thing he did because we had him to score or assist at 2.3 as our betting tip for that match.
So, it’s been far from straightforward all the way.
Speaking of Bellingham, he’s already a strong contender for Player of the Tournament. Not only has he scored six goals to go with one assist, but he’s also been putting in plenty of defensive work and hard running to go with his attacking exploits. Interestingly, Harry Kane also has six goals and an assist.
Declan Rice came off at half-time against Norway and is a doubt here in the heart of midfield, while Ezri Konda will probably continue to fill in at right-back for the suspended Jarell Qunsah, unless Reece James is preferred to him.
- Player to watch: Jude Bellingham - 4.0 to score / 2.88 to score or assist.
Argentina
Argentina are another team who seem to enjoy doing it the hard way.
They needed extra time to get the better of Cape Verde, eventually winning 3-2, mounted a monumental comeback to beat Egypt 3-2 after being 2-0 down and also needed extra time to get the better of Switzerland, scoring twice late in extra time to win the game 3-1, the first time in five games that Lionel Messi didn’t score.
So Argentina have also been scrapping away rather than winning convincingly, but this will be their biggest test yet.
Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez have been taking turns to partner Messi upfront, so it will be interesting who gets the gig this time, while Premier League-based midfield duo Enzo Fernandez and Alexis McAllister are forming a strong partnership in midfield.
- Player to watch: Enzo Fernandez - 4.0 to score or assist / 14.0 to be first goal scorer.
Did You Know?
England have been one of the most competitive teams in international football over the last few years. They hadn’t made a semi-final since Euro 96 but made the semis of the World Cup in 2018, the Euro 2020 final (lost on penalties to Italy), the quarter-finals of the 2022 World up and the final of Euro 2024, which they lost 2-1 to Spain.
But despite all that, their famous win at the 1966 World Cup remains their only major tournament win to date.
