England and Argentina shared a combative start to their World Cup semi-final on Wednesday as the holders averaged a foul every two-and-a-half minutes to match a record for poor challenges at the 2026 edition. Lionel Messis team were punished by referee Ismail Elfath four times during the first 10 minutes in Atlanta a record only equalled by Sweden during the same period of their 3-0 defeat to France in the last 32.Its been too stop-start, former England striker Alan Shearer told BBC Sport. There have been too many fouls.I would like to see England add a little bit more tempo to the game. If they do not, thats how [Argentina will] cause them problems. Table of ContentsWorld Cup 2026: England vs Argentina tensionWorld Cup 2026: England team vs ArgentinaWorld Cup 2026: Argentina team vs EnglandWhere to watch England vs Argentina: TV channel, online live streamWorld Cup 2026: England vs Argentina statsWorld Cup 2026: England vs Argentina tensionEight-time Ballon dOr winner Messi appeared to question Elfath and Englands Jude Bellingham seemed to tell the official that an elbow had been thrown after one early altercation.The incident was a painful one for Three Lions midfielder Eliot Anderson, who went down after an apparent shove on the head from Chelseas Enzo Fernandez.The slower the pace, the more it will suit Argentina, warned Shearer. Like England, theyve found ways to win games under pressure.The victors in the tie will meet Spain in the World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday (20:00 BST), with the losers meeting France in the third-placed play-off a day earlier (22:00).World Cup 2026: England team vs ArgentinaEngland made three changes, bringing in full-backs Reece James and Djed Spence and midfielder Morgan Rogers for Ezri Konsa, Nico OReilly and Noni Madueke.England starting XI: Jordan Pickford, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Djed Spence, Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers, Harry Kane, Anthony GordonEngland substitutes: Dean Henderson, James Trafford, Ezri Konsa, Nico OReilly, Trevoh Chalobah, Dan Burn, Jordan Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Ollie Watkins, Noni Madueke, Ivan ToneyWorld Cup 2026: Argentina team vs EnglandGiuliano Simeone supplanted Rodrigo De Paul as Argentinas one change came in midfield.De Paul sustained a cut during a challenge against Switzerland during the quarter-finals but did not appear to be injured afterwards.Argentina starting XI: Emiliano Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico, Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nahuel Molina, Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Julian Alvarez, Lionel Messi, Giuliano SimeoneArgentina substitutes: Juan Musso, Geronimo Rulli, Marcos Senesi, Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolas Otamendi, Facundo Medina, Rodrigo De Paul, Valentin Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Nico Gonzalez, Thiago Almada, Nico Paz, Jose Manuel Lopez, Lautaro MartinezWhere to watch England vs Argentina: TV channel, online live streamKick-off on Wednesday was at 20:00 BST (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT). In the UK, live TV coverage is on BBC One.Streaming on a vast range of devices is available through the BBC iPlayer app and BBC Sport website.World Cup 2026: England vs Argentina statsEngland have lost two of their 14 internationals against Argentina, winning six and drawing the other sixOne of those draws was their penalty shootout defeat in the last 16 at the World Cup 1998 following a 2-2 drawTheir last loss to La Albiceleste in regular time was a 2-1 quarter-final defeat in Mexico City at the World Cup 1986Jude Bellingham has scored twice in each of his last two World Cup appearances, with only Harry Kane (4) and Gary Lineker (3) ever having more matches in which they scored at least two goals for the Three Lions in the competitionIn World Cup history, the only midfielder with to score at least two goals in more games than Bellingham is Perus Tofilo Cubillas (3)Argentina are in their sixth World Cup semi-final, progressing from each of their preceding five ties at this stageThis is the sixth time Argentina have played England at the World Cup, only ever facing Germany more times in the competition. They have also played the Netherlands six timesTheir total of six wins at the 2026 edition represents their longest outright winning run in tournament historyLionel Scalonis side have scored exactly three goals in each of their last four matches, ensuring they are poised to become the second side in World Cup history to net at least three goals in five consecutive matches, after France across the 2022 and 2026 editionsWith 17 goals at this years World Cup, Argentina have scored the most of any team and are one shy of equalling their best-ever tally of 18, which they managed at the 1930 finals Topics 2026 FIFA World Cup Anthony Gordon Argentina National Football Team Bukayo Saka Dan Burn Declan Rice Djed Spence Eberechi Eze Elliot Anderson England National Football Team FIFA World Cup Harry Kane Ivan Toney James Trafford Jarell Quansah John Stones Jordan Henderson Jordan Pickford Jude Bellingham Kobbie Mainoo Lionel Messi Marc Guehi Marcus Rashford Morgan Rogers Nico O'Reilly Noni Madueke Ollie Watkins Reece James Thomas Tuchel World Cup World Cup 2026 Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read LIVE England v Argentina: World Cup 2026 text commentary, updates, goals and stats as Three Lions face Lionel Messi Jon Fisher 15th July, 2026 England vs Argentina live: World Cup 2026 confirmed teams and full line ups as Morgan Rogers starts against Lionel Messi team, TV channel, online stream and stats Ben Miller 15th July, 2026 England v Argentina: Liverpool raise eyebrows with show of support for Mac Allister Nicholas McGee 15th July, 2026 When is the World Cup final 2026? 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