Opening: Both Sides Scraped Through in Extra Time
Both teams needed extra time to settle their quarterfinals, and England pulled off what can only be called a narrow escape to complete their comeback. Jude Bellingham really is a man built for the big occasion, delivering the decisive goal in two straight matches to drag England into the semifinals.
As for Argentina, I actually think there’s a fair bit of luck in how they’ve gotten this far. Every opponent on their path has been ranked outside the FIFA top 20 — and even so, they’ve still stumbled their way through.
Argentina: Without Di María, the Missing Winger Is This Tournament’s Biggest Hole
Both sides currently have their own underlying issues. Let’s start with Argentina, whose problem is easier to explain scientifically.
Argentina’s biggest problem this tournament is the absence of their vice-king, Ángel Di María, which has left them without a genuinely strong winger. Among all four semifinalists, France need no introduction — their front line is so stacked they don’t even know who to send out wide. England have Bukayo Saka, who produced several brilliant dribbles against Norway. Spain have Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams. But Argentina… nothing. They don’t have a single player who qualifies as a genuine wing dribbler.
That’s why they’ve even resorted to fielding Messi out wide as a winger — a move that has genuinely worked, helping them come back against Egypt. And given Messi’s ability, playing as a winger isn’t really a problem for him — but can his stamina hold up? On top of that, while Argentina’s scoring this tournament has been powerful, their capacity for conceding is equally not to be underestimated; their back line always finds some unexpected way to let one in, which is why they’ve struggled against everyone. If they keep this up against England, things could look grim.
England: Eternally Sorcery, Until Bellingham Arrived
As for England… honestly, quality has never been their problem — theirs is more of a mystical one. Whenever you back them, they let you down; whenever you don’t, they win. Hence the saying: when it comes to disappointing, England never disappoint.
But that seems to have shifted a little since Bellingham burst onto the scene. His instinct for making late runs and arriving at the right spot has been on full display in these two matches, helping England scrape through both times. Lay out their squad and center forward Harry Kane, winger Saka, and Anthony Gordon have all actually performed fine — you just can’t figure out why they aren’t scoring. Their back line hasn’t performed badly either, but they’ve conceded plenty anyway… I can only say it makes no sense, genuinely no sense. England at the World Cup will forever be a mystery.
Betting Advice: Science vs Sorcery — I Believe in Both
As for my conclusion — this match is, personally, science versus sorcery. Trust the science, and England hold the edge; trust the sorcery, and Argentina win.
And me? I believe in both the science and the sorcery. And given both sides’ baffling attacking and defensive form, there’s a decent chance this goes all the way to extra time — so I think the result within 90 minutes will be a draw, with England likely to come out on top in extra time.
Please bet responsibly.