The World Cup semifinals are tantalizing affairs on paper. Spain versus France is a meeting of two previous winners and European neighbors. England versus Argentina also features two previous winners, but this match has a much more interesting history to it.England is favored against Argentina, but this one is viewed as very close. England opened with -120 odds on BetMGM and DraftKings to advance, while Argentina opened at -105. That’s roughly akin to a 52-48 edge for England.England-ArgentinaTime: Wednesday, 3 p.m. ETTV: Fox (English), Telemundo (Spanish)Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, AtlantaUnlike France and Spain, which have been mostly in control en route to the semifinals, England and Argentina endured plenty of drama to get here. England trailed in the second half against DR Congo, survived a red card to beat Mexico at the Estadio Azteca and needed extra time to get past Norway. Argentina got through via extra time against Cape Verde in arguably the best match of the tournament, then had a memorable 3-2 comeback against Egypt and yet again needed extra time to beat Switzerland in the quarterfinal Saturday.
There’s no reason things will be any less tense now.England and Argentina have a history on and off the field. The Falklands War of 1982 is still preventing English referees from officiating Argentina games. Four years later in the World Cup quarterfinal against England, Diego Maradona scored two of the most famous goals in the history of the sport. When both goals have specific names, you know they were good (“The Hand of God” and “The Goal of the Century”).Of course, none of the players on either squad were alive for either incident.This year’s meeting is a clash of styles. Argentina controls the ball well and presses hard, but everything in the attack goes through Lionel Messi. Messi has eight goals and two assists this tournament, but his streak of nine World Cup matches with a goal ended in the 3-1 win against Switzerland.England plays with a faster and sometimes more direct style and has been carried by Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, who each have six goals. Bellingham has scored twice in each of the last two games.In a World Cup of superstars, both teams have had their top players deliver.In England’s and Argentina’s knockout matches, both squads have scored in all six matches. Even with that stat, the odds of both teams scoring in the semifinal are virtually a toss-up. DraftKings slightly favors yes, while BetMGM favors no, but both sportsbooks are giving minus odds to yes and no.Under 2.5 goals is also solidly favored. Despite the fireworks these teams have produced in the knockout stage, the odds are saying to expect a tight, low-scoring semifinal.
