Argentina faces England for World Cup final spot amid Messi's legacy concerns

Argentina meets England in a crucial semifinal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta at 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday. The winner of this matchup will reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup final to face Spain, who defeated France 2-0 in the previous round. For Argentina, reaching the final represents a chance to defend their title and earn a fourth World Cup trophy, potentially marking Lionel Messi's last appearance in the tournament. As Messi spent a significant part of his career with Spain's Barcelona, his potential final against Spain presents an 'emotional conundrum' for Spanish fans, as noted by Taylor Twellman. The match comes after their last meeting in 2018, where Spain triumphed with a 6-1 victory in a friendly.

• 7:16 PMYahoo Sports — Ex-USMNT star warns of ‘emotional conundrum’ facing Spain should Lionel Messi reach World Cup final