England vs Argentina prediction & tips: Kane and Messi get their shooting boots on

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BOYLE Sports Team · Betting Experts

England and Argentina both had to battle through extra-time to reach the World Cup semi-finals and it would be no surprise if this tie isn’t resolved in regulation play either. La Albiceleste can counter the threat of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham with Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez , plus it is hard to split the respective supporting casts.

England vs Argentina Prediction - 2026 World Cup, Semi-Final

Punters can get 2/1 for the initial match result to be a draw and that is rated a value bet for our first England vs Argentina prediction .

2/1
● LIVE ODDS Draw Match Betting

Betting Odds

England vs Argentina Betting Odds – 2026 World Cup Semi-Final

Result

Odds

Chance

England

6/4

40%

Argentina

15/8

34.8%

Draw

2/1

33.3%

*Odds are correct at the time of writing, but subject to change.

England are slight 6/4 favourites to beat Argentina , who are 15/8 for the win, with the draw at 2/1.

How to Watch

How to watch England vs Argentina

Wednesday’s clash is scheduled to kick off at 20:00 BST and will be broadcast live on BBC One .

Head-to-Head

England vs Argentina head-to-head record

These teams have met five times before at World Cup tournaments, with England claiming three victories in 1962, 1966 and 2002 , when David Beckham scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot. Argentina enjoyed the infamous Diego Maradona -inspired 2-1 ‘Hand of God’ triumph in 1986 and prevailed in a 1998 shoot-out after Alan Shearer and Michael Owen had netted in a 2-2 draw.

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Who will win the 2026 World Cup?

Predicted Lineups

England vs Argentina Predicted Lineups

England Predicted XI

England Team

Argentina Predicted XI

Argentina Starters

Form Guides

England form guide

After making relatively smooth progress through their group with wins over Croatia and Panama either side of drawing with Ghana , England have had to fight hard throughout the knockout stages. The Three Lions needed a late Kane double to survive an almighty scare against DR Congo and then had to show tremendous courage to beat Mexico 3-2 at the Azteca Stadium with 10 men.

England looked up against it when trailing a fired-up Norway outfit but the red-hot Jude Bellingham bagged a brace of goals for the second straight game to see them through 2-1 in extra-time . After being put through such a gruelling encounter at altitude in Mexico City , the Three Lions can be forgiven for wilting in the Miami heat, though.

Atlanta’s state-of-the-art stadium will provide perfect conditions for this contest and that should hopefully lead to an entertaining encounter . Both teams have scored in all six knockout matches featuring these sides, so 4/5 for that to happen again is a rock-solid option for our World Cup tips today.

Kane Touch Map
4/5
● LIVE ODDS Yes Both Teams To Score

Argentina form guide

The defending champions eased through their group, beating Algeria 3-0, Austria 2-0 and Jordan 3-1 , but like England have been pushed to the limits in all three knockout rounds. African minnows Cape Verde twice came from behind before a 111th-minute own goal gave Argentina a 3-2 extra-time triumph .

The holders then looked to be heading home when trailing Egypt 2-0 with just over 10 minutes left on the clock, but late strikes from Cristian Romero , Messi and Enzo Fernandez turned things around in dramatic fashion. La Albiceleste had to overcome a mighty effort from 10-man Switzerland to draw 1-1 in normal time before goals from Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez settled the issue .

Head coach Lionel Scaloni admitted afterwards: “We have to be realistic, we have things to improve on.” However, this is a battle-hardened unit which never surrenders and yet another close encounter is surely on the cards.

Messi may have recently celebrated his 39th birthday but he is looking forward to facing England for the first time buoyed by scoring eight goals at this tournament , two more than either of England’s star duo of Kane and Bellingham . BOYLE Sports are offering a Super Boost of EVS (was 2/5) for Kane and Messi to both have a shot on target in normal time , which includes the SubSwap concession if required and has obvious appeal.

For those chasing a bigger pay-out , let’s finish off our World Cup tips today by taking 60/1 for Messi to open the scoring and the match result at the end of normal time to be 2-2 .

Messi Touch Map
1/1
● LIVE ODDS Kane & Messi to have a Shot on Target in 90 Mins (Includes SubSwap). Was 2/5 Super Boost (E-Venue)

Betting Tips

England vs Argentina Betting Tips – World Cup Semi-Final

England vs Argentina to be a draw after 90 mins @ 2/1

Both teams to score @ 4/5

Kane and Messi to both have a shot on target in normal time @ EVS

Simply click/tap on the above betting tips to add to your betslip.

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ROOTED IN HISTORY READY FOR THE FUTURE