Spain just locked down their spot in the 2026 World Cup final after an absolute shutout performance, beating France 2-0 on Tuesday. That's it, folks, they're in. Now, all eyes turn to Wednesday's showdown: England versus Argentina, a tie that’s not just about who gets to face Spain for the title, but a full-blown rekindling of one of soccer's most legendary and fiery rivalries.
Messi vs. Bellingham: Battle for the Final
Out of 48 nations that started this whole thing, only three remain with a shot at lifting the trophy. Lionel Messi and Argentina are ready to rumble with Jude Bellingham and England at 3 p.m. ET on FOX. This isn't just another game, it's *the* game before the biggest game, folks. The winner punches their ticket to battle Spain in the grand final, and the loser? They go home, leaving everything they fought for on the pitch with nothing but a bittersweet memory. The stakes honestly couldn't be higher. Every single pass, every brutal tackle, every desperate shot is going to feel like it's deciding the entire universe for these teams. You already know both sides are coming into this match absolutely red-hot, totally desperate for that final berth, knowing what it means for their country and their legacy.More Than a Game: A Rivalry Forged in Fire
This England vs. Argentina clash goes way deeper than just ninety minutes on the pitch, trust me. These two countries have a shared history that extends far beyond soccer, including the very real legacy of the 1982 Falklands War, known as the Malvinas in Argentina. That kind of deep-seated, real-world tension means every match between them is charged with an almost unbelievable intensity you just rarely see in sports. And let's be real, you absolutely cannot talk about this rivalry without immediately bringing up the legendary 1986 World Cup quarterfinal played in Mexico. That single game gave us two of the most unforgettable moments in sports history: Diego Maradona's infamous, audacious "Hand of God" goal, and then, just moments later, his absolutely incredible "Goal of the Century." Maradona himself, after scoring with his hand, famously admitted, "How did I score? A little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God," openly confirming he saw it as an act of sporting revenge after the war. That history, that raw emotion, it’s all bubbling right under the surface and will absolutely explode onto the pitch for Wednesday's match. It's not just soccer; it's a saga. So yeah, get ready for an absolute cracker of a match on Wednesday. The entire CBS Sports Golazo Network is going to be rocking with wall-to-wall coverage, delivering up to 12 hours of live programming each matchday. From "Morning Footy" setting the stage with all the latest news and previews, to "Golazo Matchday" and "Matchnight" dissecting every play, all the way to "Scoreline" wrapping up every single result and storyline from across the tournament. You truly won't want to miss a second of this, because when England and Argentina square off, it's always pure fireworks. This isn't just a semifinal, it's a global sporting event you'll be talking about for years.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.