Messi's expulsion created the fateful quarterfinals... Manchester City and Arsenal were repeatedly shaken, but at 39, he finally meets England

*This content was translated by AI.

The expulsion of "God of Football" Lionel Messi (39, Inter Miami) 21 years ago has led to a fateful World Cup quarterfinal match.

Reuters reported on the 13th (Korean time) that "Messi's first-ever match against England will finally take place in the World Cup semi-finals."

Argentina, led by Messi, will face England in the 2026 FIFA North American World Cup semi-final at Atlanta Stadium in the United States on the morning of the 16th at 4 a.m.

Messi has played for the Argentina national team for over two decades, facing numerous strong opponents. However, he had never been able to face one particular team: England.

Coincidentally, it all began with Messi's expulsion. He received a red card in his A-match debut against Hungary in 2005. Due to this suspension, he was unable to play in the friendly match against England later that same year.

At the time, Argentina suffered a comeback defeat against England, losing 2-3. They had taken the lead with goals from Hernan Crespo and Walter Samuel, but after conceding an equalizer to Wayne Rooney, they collapsed after Michael Owen scored two consecutive goals.

Since then, no match between Argentina and England took place for 21 years. Messi also never got the chance to face the England national team.

Reuters highlighted that "39-year-old Messi has faced Brazil, Uruguay, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, and others during his playing career. However, he has never met England even once."

However, English clubs are familiar to Messi as a "formidable opponent." Having played for Spanish club Barcelona and French club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Messi scored 27 goals in 35 matches against English clubs on the European stage. England's top teams such as Arsenal, Manchester City, and Manchester United have repeatedly opened their goal to Messi.

Although he has shaken up numerous English clubs, his meeting with the England national team only came at age 39. And this time, it is not a friendly or group-stage match, but a semi-final deciding who advances to the World Cup final.

Messi also regarded his first-ever match against England as special. After defeating Switzerland in the quarterfinals, he said, "England is an excellent team and a strong one, so it is special. Playing such a match against that kind of team is always something special."

He continued, "We have expended a lot of energy. The entire squad feels this, so we need rest. To keep competing as we have done until now, we must enter the match in the best physical condition possible."

Despite his considerable age, Messi has scored eight goals in this North American World Cup, placing him joint top of the scoring charts. However, he did not score in the quarterfinal against Switzerland. This is the first time since the 2022 Qatar World Cup group stage match against Poland that Messi failed to score in a World Cup game.

Micah Richards, a former England national team player and now a commentator for the UK's BBC, also named Messi as the biggest variable. Richards said, "England may be able to run more than Argentina," but added, "Argentina has the genius Messi. All players play for him. Everyone should look forward to this match."

Although Argentina and England have not faced each other for a long time, they are considered rivals who always engage in fierce battles whenever they meet. After the 1982 Falklands War worsened political relations between the two countries, special tension was added to their football encounters.

At the 1998 France World Cup, England's "legend" David Beckham was sent off after clashing with Diego Simeone. When England was eliminated via penalty shootouts, fierce criticism was directed at Beckham. Four years later, in the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup match against Argentina, Beckham scored a dramatic penalty kick winner to achieve revenge. Interestingly, Beckham is currently a co-owner of Inter Miami, where Messi plays.

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*This content was translated by AI.