International Soccer
An analysis by Prensa Libre, prepared with official statistics from FIFA and DataFactory, grants a slight advantage to the Albiceleste due to its greater offensive production and the variety of resources it has shown in the 2026 World Cup.
The data puts Argentina ahead of England. That’s outside the field, although inside, both teams have shown each other respect. A key that is for anyone. Whoever wins will face Spain, who defeated France, in the final on July 19 at 1:00 p.m. Free Press Photo: Straffon Images.
Argentina and England will compete this Wednesday for the second ticket to the final of the 2026 World Cup, where Spain is already waiting after eliminating France. The Albiceleste arrives with six consecutive victories and 17 goals scored, while England remains undefeated with five wins, one draw and 13 goals.
The following is a Free Press screeningprepared based on official statistics of the FIFAthe records of DataFactory and the monitoring carried out by the sports editorial team during the tournament.
The analysis weighs six variables: offensive production, defensive performance, recent form, influence of decisive players, performance in the knockout rounds and tactical alternatives. It is not an official prediction of the result.
Argentina presents the most productive attack of the semifinals. has marked 17 goals in six games (2.83 per game) and does not depend exclusively on Lionel Messi, who has eight goals and two assists. Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez and Alexis Mac Allister have also contributed in the decisive matches, which makes the Albiceleste a team with multiple ways to reach the goal.
His main question appears in defense. After keeping a clean sheet in his first two games, he received six goals in the next foura sign that the The team grants more space when the games increase in intensity.
England, on the other hand, has built a good part of its route around Harry Kane and Jude Bellinghamauthors of 12 of the 13 English goals in the tournament. This effectiveness makes both of them the main offensive argument of the British team, although it also reflects a greater dependence on their two figures.
At the same time, players like Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon They have contributed to the generation of the game and offer variants on the wings.
The midfield appears as the sector that can decide the semifinal. Argentina will seek to reduce Bellingham’s arrivals and cut services to Kane through pressure from Enzo Fernández, Rodrigo De Paul and Alexis Mac Allister. England, for its part, will try to prevent Messi from receiving between the lines, from where he usually generates advantages for himself or his teammates.
The most recent record shows that none arrives with a completely solid defense. Argentina needed extra time to eliminate Switzerland and England did the same against Norway. In addition, both teams have conceded goals during the direct elimination rounds, a factor that anticipates an open semifinal with the possibility of being resolved in the final minutes.
The editorial projection
Based on the accumulated performance during the World Cup, the projection of Free press gives a slight advantage to Argentina:
- Argentina: 56%
- England: 44%
The difference responds to the total number of victories, the greater offensive production and a wider distribution of the goal around Messi. England remains very close thanks to the great form of Kane and Bellingham, their strength in the air and their ability to compete in highly demanding matches.
Analysis reference marker: Argentina 2-1 England.
Rather than anticipating a definitive result, the projection describes a probable scenario based on the behavior shown by both teams during the tournament.
The data slightly favors the Albiceleste, but the margin is narrow enough to expect a balanced semi-final between the current champion and an England that seeks to return to a World Cup final. 60 years later to win his only title, in 1966.