Lionel Messi’s Argentina squad will face England in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup on Wednesday night after defeating Switzerland in Kansas.
Lionel Messi sends a message on social media after Argentina’s win over Switzerland (Image: (Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images))
Lionel Messi believes it will be special to play against “powerful” England in the World Cup semi-finals, insisting Argentina’s remarkable success is “not normal”. Messi and his team face Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions in Atlanta on Wednesday, with a place in Sunday’s final against either France or Spain at stake.
Just hours after England defeated Norway, defending champions Argentina defeated Switzerland in a 10-a-side competition to set up a mouth-watering final four showdown. The match carries immense weight for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who has never faced the Three Lions at senior international level.
Messi said: “Everything I’ve ever seen and remembered (from Argentina vs. England in 1986) comes from videos and images that Argentines are constantly watching and reliving.
“But I think this group is used to playing a game of football regardless of the opponent. Obviously playing against England is special because they are a strong country. And any game against a strong country is always special.”
“Personally, it’s my first time playing against them. I’ve played against everyone except England, so I’ll be happy in that sense.
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“And we will experience it for what it is: a World Cup semi-final against a strong, great team. And we will try to arrive in the best possible condition to compete again.”
In an Instagram post, Messi warned England’s players: “It’s been tough again, but this team will never stop believing. We’re in the top four in the world again!!! Let’s do our best.”
The 3-1 victory over Murat Yakin’s side not only set up a last-four showdown with England but also means Argentina are on track to retain the title for the first time in their history.
“It’s good that the people[in Argentina]are enjoying it as much as we are. That’s how we live,” Messi told ESPN Argentina.
Julian Alvarez celebrates after scoring against Switzerland
“This group is getting people used to doing things that are not normal. It’s not easy to come back from being world champion, win everything you’ve won, and then continue to compete at that level, be in the top four, play in another semifinal… It’s not normal, and that’s why we have to have so much fun with it.”
“We don’t know if it will happen again, if it will happen again, or when it will happen. It was a long time before we were not world champions, so we should enjoy and cherish everything that happens next. We will rest, recover and prepare for the semi-finals.”
Argentina players celebrate after victory over Switzerland (Image: Getty Images)
The forward added: “We know how difficult this World Cup is, we know what has happened so far. We expected a tough game (against Switzerland).
“In the first half, they had a difficult game for us even though we took the lead. They kept trying to equalize but we just couldn’t play our game and couldn’t hold the ball for long.
“Without the ball, we sat too deep. Their red card changed the game completely, but it was still difficult.”
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