My pick: Argentina to win 2-1. Confidence level: 55/100 (close contest, slight edge to defending champions
**My pick: Argentina to win 2-1. Confidence level: 55/100 (close contest, slight edge to defending champions).** This is the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal: England vs. Argentina at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta (kickoff 3 p.m. ET). The winner faces Spain in the final. ### Rationale and key details: **Current form:** Argentina (defending champions) remain unbeaten in the tournament with a strong run, including a dramatic extra-time win over Switzerland. They’ve shown resilience and attacking firepower, with Lionel Messi (age 39 but still elite) tied for the Golden Boot lead with 8 goals. England advanced with gritty defensive performances and knockout wins (e.g., 2-1 over Norway), powered by Jude Bellingham’s clutch goals (6 in the tournament, matching Kane) and Harry Kane’s scoring. **Tactics:** Argentina under Scaloni often use a compact, counter-attacking setup with Messi dropping deep to create. They excel in possession and transitions. England under Tuchel favor a solid str...