World Cup
History Beckons as England and Argentina Renew World Cup Rivalry in Semi-final
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
One of football’s most celebrated rivalries will be reignited this Wednesday when England and Argentina meet in the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026, with a place in the final at stake.
The encounter at the Atlanta Stadium adds another chapter to a fixture steeped in World Cup history, as two former champions battle for the right to face Spain in Sunday’s final.
England and Argentina have met five times previously at the FIFA World Cup, producing some of the tournament’s most memorable moments. The Three Lions hold a slight advantage in the head-to-head record, having won three of those encounters.
England first defeated Argentina 3-1 in the group stage of the 1962 World Cup in Chile before overcoming the South Americans 1-0 in the quarter-finals of the 1966 tournament on their way to lifting the trophy for the only time in their history.
Their most recent World Cup meeting came in 2002 when David Beckham’s penalty secured a 1-0 victory for England during the group phase in Japan and South Korea.
Argentina, however, have enjoyed their own iconic successes against England. The Albiceleste triumphed 2-1 in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup, a match remembered for Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal and his stunning solo effort that helped propel Argentina to the title.
The nations met again in the 1998 Round of 16 in France, drawing 2-2 before Argentina prevailed 4-3 in a dramatic penalty shootout.
Beyond their storied rivalry, the semi-final also pits contrasting World Cup records against one another.
England have reached the last four on three previous occasions but have only once advanced to the final. Their sole semi-final victory came in 1966 when Alf Ramsey’s side went on to become world champions on home soil. Since then, England have suffered heartbreak in the semi-finals, including defeats in 1990 and 2018.
Argentina, by contrast, boast a flawless record at this stage of the competition. The South Americans have won all five of their previous World Cup semi-finals, underlining their reputation as one of the tournament’s most formidable knockout teams.
That remarkable run has helped Argentina claim three World Cup titles and establish themselves as one of international football’s traditional powerhouses.
With England seeking to end decades of frustration and Argentina aiming to preserve their perfect semi-final record, Wednesday’s showdown promises to be another compelling chapter in one of football’s greatest rivalries.
The winners will advance to Sunday’s final against Spain, while the defeated side will face France in the third-place playoff.
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World Cup
BET9JA FACT FILE: Argentina Set New World Cup Scoring Record

Ahead of this Wednesday’s semi-final clash with England, Argentina have rewritten FIFA World Cup history by becoming the first team ever to score two or more goals in 12 consecutive World Cup matches.
The South Americans surpassed the previous record of 11 straight World Cup games with at least two goals, a mark established by Uruguay between the inaugural tournament in 1930 and the 1954 World Cup.
The Albiceleste’s remarkable scoring streak underlines their attacking consistency and highlights why they remain one of the favourites to lift the FIFA World Cup 2026 trophy.
The Record
- Argentina: 12 consecutive World Cup matches with 2+ goals
- Previous Record: Uruguay – 11 consecutive matches (1930-1954)
Argentina’s 12-Match Streak
The run stretches across the latter stages of the Qatar 2022 World Cup and the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026, showcasing an attack that has consistently delivered on football’s biggest stage.
Why It Matters
- It is the longest scoring streak of its kind in FIFA World Cup history.
- The achievement demonstrates Argentina’s ability to combine attacking flair with remarkable consistency across multiple tournaments.
- The record has been achieved against opponents from different confederations and in both knockout and group-stage matches.
World Cup Pedigree
Argentina are three-time FIFA World Cup champions and have reached the latter stages of the competition once again in 2026. Their latest record adds another chapter to the country’s rich World Cup legacy.
Bet9ja Stat
12 – Consecutive FIFA World Cup matches in which Argentina have scored at least two goals, the longest such streak by any nation in tournament history, surpassing Uruguay’s previous record of 11 set between 1930 and 1954.
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World Cup
BET9JA FACT FILE: Kane And Bellingham Make World Cup History For England

England’s dynamic duo of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have etched their names into FIFA World Cup history after each reaching six goals at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
For the first time since the World Cup began in 1930, two players from the same nation have scored more than five goals in a single World Cup edition. This is an indication of England’s remarkable attacking power on their run to the semi-finals.
Harry Kane, or Hurricane if you like, England’s captain and all-time leading scorer, has once again delivered on the biggest stage, while Bellingham has emerged as one of the tournament’s standout performers, combining goals, leadership and match-winning displays.
The Historic Numbers
- Harry Kane: 6 goals
- Jude Bellingham: 6 goals
- Combined tally: 12 goals
- World Cup record: First pair of teammates from the same country to each score more than five goals in one tournament.
England’s Twin Threat
The achievement reflects England’s balanced attack, with Kane providing his trademark finishing and Bellingham contributing from midfield. Their goals have been instrumental in guiding the Three Lions deep into the tournament.
Chasing The Golden Boot
With England still in contention, both players remain in the race for the tournament’s Golden Boot and could extend a record that no other nation has managed in nearly a century of World Cup football.
Did You Know?
Before Kane and Bellingham’s feat, several nations had produced a single prolific scorer in a World Cup, but no country had ever seen two players score six or more goals in the same edition.
Bet9ja Stat
6 + 6 = 12 — Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have become the first teammates from the same nation to score more than five goals each in a single FIFA World Cup tournament, setting a new benchmark for attacking partnerships on football’s grandest stage.
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World Cup
Spain Sink France on Bastille Day to Reach World Cup Final

BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Spain moved within one victory of a second FIFA World Cup title after defeating France 2-0 in the semi-finals on Tuesday, producing a composed and disciplined performance to book their place in Sunday’s final.
The victory came exactly two years after Spain’s triumph at UEFA Euro 2022 and keeps alive their dream of repeating the historic feat they achieved in 2010 when they won the World Cup as reigning European champions.
For France, however, the defeat carried an added layer of disappointment as it came on Bastille Day, the country’s national holiday commemorating the French Revolution of 1789 and the birth of the modern French Republic.
Dejected France players leave the pitch after their 2-0 defeat to Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, USA, on July 14, 2026. The loss, suffered on France’s Bastille Day national holiday, ended Les Bleus’ hopes of reaching a second consecutive World Cup final. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Maria Lysaker
They were aiming to become the next country after Brazil to reach the World Cup final match on three consecutive editions.
After an evenly contested opening, Spain gradually asserted control through their trademark possession-based approach, dictating the tempo and limiting France’s attacking opportunities.
The breakthrough arrived in the 22nd minute when teenage sensation Lamine Yamal was brought down inside the penalty area by Lucas Digne. Mikel Oyarzabal calmly converted the resulting spot-kick, sending goalkeeper Mike Maignan the wrong way to give Spain a deserved lead.
France struggled to create clear-cut chances against a well-organised Spanish side that maintained control of possession and territory for much of the encounter.
Spain effectively sealed victory in the 58th minute through Pedro Porro. The defender exchanged a clever one-two with Dani Olmo before racing through on goal and finishing confidently past Maignan to double his side’s advantage.
The second goal further tightened Spain’s grip on the match, with France unable to find a way back despite their efforts to increase the pressure in the closing stages.
The win sends Spain into their first World Cup final since lifting the trophy in South Africa in 2010. They will now face either England or Argentina in Sunday’s showpiece at New York/New Jersey Stadium as they seek to become world champions for the second time.
Having already conquered Europe, Spain are now just one match away from completing another remarkable double and etching their name once more into football history.
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