- Argentina have won five successive matches, conceding only seven goals in their last ten.
- England have won four of their last five, and drawn the other, with only eight conceded in their last ten.
- Jude Bellingham has 4 goals.
Argentina v England: a chess match
England face Argentina at the Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday in what could be a heavyweight match with a World Cup knockouts feel, in the USA. The odds have England the narrow favourites, as they should be, but Argentina are 10 from 10 in all competitions heading into the clash and have been involved in some gruelling games. This has the feel of a tight encounter that could go the distance, so we will look for some other angles.
Thomas Tuchel has done a tremendous job with England since taking over on 1st January 2025 and they look drilled, flexible and full of speed in transitions. England can set up in a back three or a back four, with or without wing-backs, they can play with a double pivot or a single and they hit teams on the break with such velocity. England have taken out DR Congo 2-1, Mexico 3-2 and Norway 2-1 AET in their previous three games at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Lionel Scaloni, meanwhile, has Argentina playing a loose 4-3-3 system that gives Messi room to find the pockets of space in between the lines and Argentina have taken out Cape Verde 3-2 AET, Egypt 3-2 and Switzerland 3-1 AET in their last three FIFA World Cup knockout games.
Match outlook
Both Teams to Score in the match is also available at 1.85 for either yes or no, which makes a strong case for that option.
England can go wide and fast but Argentina are solid in defense and play a patient game, so this could be a chess game won by whoever controls the midfield. There is no shortage of star power, with Jude Bellingham having four goals in England's three matches, Harry Kane having four of their ten goals across their last five matches and Lionel Messi bagging three of Argentina's ten in the same time.
Anthony Gordon has been England's creator, delivering four assists in their last 5 matches, and we think Argentina will be the more likely to take a lead before a goal fest. They are 2.88 compared to 2.5 for England, while the Draw is 3.2.
