As the 2026 FIFA World Cup reaches its penultimate this week, the stage is set for four international football biggest nations to battle for two places in the final.

France will slug it out with their arch rivals, reigning Europeans champions, Spain, later in this evening.

The English side led by Harry Kane, is also set to trade tackles with Argentina.

Both matches are by all standard blockbuster matches, as football fans across the globe would be treated to the finest moments in world class football entertainment.

England had enjoyed a strong run to the fiesta’s semifinals, dominating the group stage by beating Croatia, 4-2.

The Three Lions endured a nerve racking 0-0 with Ghana and came back stronger beating Panama, 2-0 to reach the round of 32.

Led by their star striker Harry Kane and midfield maestro Jude Belligham alongside Anthony Gordon and Declan Rice, they had proved exceptional for their opponents to match.

At the Round of 32, they defeated DR Congo 2–1 and edge pass Mexico 3–2 in a thrilling contest to reach the quarterfinals.

At the quarterfinal, they came from behind to defeat hard fighting Norway 2–1 after extra time, with Jude Bellingham scoring twice to send the Three Lions into the last four.

England’s reward for their heroics is a semifinal cracker against Argentina, with a place in the World Cup final at stake.

Argentina on the other hand, had also been a team to watch in the tournament as defending champions, as they had proved to fans that they were at the football global stage for serious business.

Led by their football legend, Lionel Messi, they gave every opposition they encountered good reasons to see them as unstoppable.

Their captain, Messi aged 39, is a joint top scorer with his French counterpart, Kylian Mbappe on eight goals.

Messi had been an inspiration to the team, always bringing them out of situations that looked impossible.

England and Argentina would renew one of international football’s greatest rivalries in the semifinal on July 15, at Atlanta Stadium, with the winner advancing to the final.

This promises to be a fascinating matchup, where both teams have had series of meetings in the past, which had always been a cracker.

The rivalry is one of the most famous in World Cup history, featuring memorable encounters in 1966, 1986, 1998, and 2002.

England reached the semifinals after defeating Norway 2–1 in the quarterfinals, inspired by Bellingham’s outstanding form.

Argentina, the reigning world champions, beat Switzerland 3–1 in the quarterfinals and continue to rely on Messi, who is among the tournament’s top players.

Overall, England hold a slight edge in the head-to-head record, but Argentina had enjoyed several iconic World Cup victories over the Three Lions.

On paper, it proves to be an evenly matched semifinal clash. England’s energy and attacking midfield, led by Bellingham, will be tested against Argentina’s experience, creativity and the leadership of Messi.

Meanwhile, some football fans in Lagos had expressed excitement over the clash in anticipation of a thrilling entertaining match for the four teams in the semifinal battle.

A die-hard fan of the Three Lions, Funso Orimoloye, said during an interview on Tuesday in Lagos that he was confident of victory for the English team and their subsequent qualification for the finals.

He said England were unlucky in the last two European Championships held in 2021 and 2025, losing out to Italy and Spain respectively in the finals.

According to him, reaching the world cup semifinal under a new coach, Thomas Tuchel, shows the depth of the team and the ability to compete at top level.

“I am confident England are going to beat Argentina, inspite of the qualities in the La Albiceleste, Messi-led squad.

“They are a very strong spirited side that is very hard to break or dominate and their high octane attacking ball play makes them a phenomenon,”Mr Orimoloye said.

Another football fan, Francis Nwora, also said that the depth of talents in the English team consistently produced elite players through world-class academies.

“The squad often has quality options in every position, making competition for places fierce and highly tasking.

“The Premier League experience also has many England internationals ply their trade in the highly competitive league. This has helped them develop against top players and managers every week,” Mr Nwora said.

Similarly, some other football fans who claimed to be Messi’s fans pledged their support to and vowed to always stand by the football icon.

A salesman, Suleiman Adeyemi, said that he was Messi’s fan and vowed that for as long as he kept playing the game, he would always support him.

“Messi is a definition of the game, he is the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) nobody can contest that with him.

“He brings a lot of positive energy to the field and carries the team on his shoulders,” Mr Adeyemi said.

Another Argentina fan and caterer, Emodi Nodim, said they were strongly rooting for him.

He stated, “Historically, the rivalry is one of the most famous in World Cup history, featuring memorable encounters in 1966, 1986, 1998, and 2002.”

According to him, Argentina will beat any opposition because they are currently the best team in the world.

“They have a formidable squad that can challenge any opposition, they are never scared to play any team and they are very result oriented,” Mr Nodim said.

Football fans could catch up with the football fiasco on SS World Cup Central (DStv Ch. 202, GOtv Ch. 61) and SS World Cup Extra (DStv Ch. 203, GOtv Ch. 65).

SuperSport’s coverage over the period had also included expert studio analysis, magazine programming and round-the-clock highlights throughout the tournament.

(NAN)