England vs Argentina - Weds 15th July - 20.00 (BST)

[Spudulike]

Would Scotland or Wales get this Falklands abuse if they played them? Afterall, they were as much of a part of the British Task Force as England.

[PhillippaT]

On 13/07/2026 at 17:51, FoxTimmy2 said:

Always knew FIFA = Fix It For Argentina

It's not the Football Institution of French Assistance, then?  

[STEVIE B]

2 hours ago, AKCJ said:

Does that really matter?

Since 2004 Leeds have only beaten us 7 times out of 27 games. Hard to say they wouldn't batter us right now.

Possibly, yes. England's record against 'good' sides in tournaments at KO stages isn't that spectacular. I reckon Spain are very good. All about opinions though. 

Edited yesterday at 18:15 by STEVIE B

[st albans fox]

3 hours ago, AKCJ said:

I think we win 7 in 10 against Argentina, 6 in 10 against Spain and 3 in 10 against France.

 

I do think that Spain are France's biggest threat though.

Our record against Argentina probably includes the game in ‘66!  It’s nothing but an historical stat 

[Super_horns]

Recent final records not kind to the winner of this game ..

 

“History favours the winners of the 1st semi final. Not since 2010 has a team won a major tournament after winning the 2nd semi. (3 World Cups and 4 Euros)."

And we know who won in 2010..

[accessory]

Anderson, Bellingham and Rice, at a combined cost of £300m+, form by some distance the most expensive central midfield in the history of world football.

 

It's time for them, individually and collectively, to provide performances that fit that tag - both vs Argentina and whoever we face at the weekend.

[Jon the Hat]

Feeling a bit sick already.  Come on England!!

[SkidsFox]

On 12/07/2026 at 23:16, Izzy said:

Beg to differ.

 

For those of us who remember Mexico 86, that injustice still hurts deep.

 

 

Injustice? An England player (I think it was Fenwick) should have been sent off if the ref had spotted him elbowing Maradonna. And that second goal was justly named the best ever. So yes, poor refereeing, but we lost to a superb display by a legend.

[SkidsFox]

13 hours ago, Finnegan said:

 

I dunno, I have a growing sneaky feeling Spain win the lot.

 

I mean who ****ing knows really, none of us do. I'd say France, Spain and England are all completely capable of turning up on the day and winning the whole lot. Argies a bit less so but still, who knows? It's knockout football.

 

But I definitely think the Spanish are being under-estimated. Only 6% of respondents to the BBC's "who'll win" poll had Spain, just seems wild to me. They're not THAT far outsiders. They're probably the best collective team in the tournament.

 

Turns out you  know football better than most! kudos.

[foxfanazer]

I'm not sure where the bullish confidence is coming from to be honest. We've hardly set the tournament alight with our performances and have largely been dragged through by individual moments of brilliance. Argentina have their vulnerabilities too so we have a chance tonight but we're certainly not a better side than Spain 

[CruzNoir]

36 minutes ago, foxfanazer said:

I'm not sure where the bullish confidence is coming from to be honest. We've hardly set the tournament alight with our performances and have largely been dragged through by individual moments of brilliance. Argentina have their vulnerabilities too so we have a chance tonight but we're certainly not a better side than Spain 

I think the confidence is coming from that Mexico game, not that it was a great footballing performance, wasn’t awful either but it was an incredible fighting spirit performance

 

and at this stage, if that spirit can be re adopted for tonight’s game then I think we have every chance to beat this Argentina side ontop of the quality we do harbour for those needed individual moments 

 

Oooo it’s exciting, so please it’s Argentina we face as well, just so juicy 

[foxfanazer]

16 minutes ago, CruzNoir said:

I think the confidence is coming from that Mexico game, not that it was a great footballing performance, wasn’t awful either but it was an incredible fighting spirit performance

 

and at this stage, if that spirit can be re adopted for tonight’s game then I think we have every chance to beat this Argentina side ontop of the quality we do harbour for those needed individual moments 

 

Oooo it’s exciting, so please it’s Argentina we face as well, just so juicy 

That's interesting and I do get your points. Our spirit and ability to dig in can't really be questioned and it's definitely a positive but the fact we've had to do it against lesser sides makes me a little worried.

 

Should be a really tasty game tonight though like you say. Fancy some goals 

[fox_favourite]

I worry we've ran out of steam. 2 very intense games; Mexico at altitude and Norway in the soaring heat and humidity, I worry we don't have the full energy needed to beat Argentina. I do think the team will give it their all, but will not have the fitness left to compete. 

 

I hope I'm wrong as we need to beat these out right in 90 minutes. 

[UniFox21]

Southgate wasn't the greatest coach, but he sure as hell reconnected the country with the national team. 

[UniFox21]

3 minutes ago, fox_favourite said:

I worry we've ran out of steam. 2 very intense games; Mexico at altitude and Norway in the soaring heat and humidity, I worry we don't have the full energy needed to beat Argentina. I do think the team will give it their all, but will not have the fitness left to compete. 

 

I hope I'm wrong as we need to beat these out right in 90 minutes. 

Bellingham did look knackered at the end of the game, him and Anderson are my real concerns. Every other main position minus Kane has been rotated pretty well

[FoxesWalk]

Regardless of what happens I’d love to see Tuchel’s contract extended again to the next world cup, top coach. 

Edited 13 hours ago by FoxesWalk

[FoxesWalk]

16 minutes ago, UniFox21 said:

Southgate wasn't the greatest coach, but he sure as hell reconnected the country with the national team. 

There is a good argument his sustained achievement of getting us to finals and semi finals over a fairly long period makes him our greatest ever coach, culture change aside. Obviously Ramsay won it; but it was a 16 team home tournament and some of those teams were the likes of North Korea. 

[leicsmac]

3 minutes ago, FoxesWalk said:

There is a good argument his sustained achievement of getting us to finals and semi finals over a fairly long period makes him our greatest ever coach, culture change aside. Obviously Ramsay won it; but it was a 16 team home tournament and some of those teams were the likes of North Korea. 

I made a similar argument a while back in the Unpopular Opinions thread and apparently a lot of people see him at least behind Ramsey and Robson, based on his mediocre club record. 

 

Speaking personally and purely looking at the England job alone, given the state of things before he took over I think he did a pretty decent job. 

[FoxFossil]

Fear England will freeze/ be knackered like France. 3-1 to the Argies.Messi (2)

[Leicesterpool]

19 minutes ago, UniFox21 said:

Southgate wasn't the greatest coach, but he sure as hell reconnected the country with the national team. 

Agreed, best England manager since Venables. Brought the love and interest back in the national team and got us believing we can actually go to tournaments and win it. Where he always fell short was getting over that line, euro 21 he will look back on and think thats the one we should have won. Tuchel hopefully maybe the next level manager who knows out to win in big days like the final... except the fa cup lol.

[Raj]

1 hour ago, foxfanazer said:

I'm not sure where the bullish confidence is coming from to be honest. We've hardly set the tournament alight with our performances and have largely been dragged through by individual moments of brilliance. Argentina have their vulnerabilities too so we have a chance tonight but we're certainly not a better side than Spain 

This is bang on.

 

But tonight could be an absolutely  historic and momentous occasion for England.

This game will not be an easy watch, these Argies know the dark arts if needed.

 

If you've got nails, you won't by the end!!

[FoxesWalk]

8 minutes ago, leicsmac said:

I made a similar argument a while back in the Unpopular Opinions thread and apparently a lot of people see him at least behind Ramsey and Robson, based on his mediocre club record. 

 

Speaking personally and purely looking at the England job alone, given the state of things before he took over I think he did a pretty decent job. 

He’s quite clearly at least the second best, in my opinion. He’s was a bit tactically limited, and risk averse, but the latter works well in international football. He took us from a very low place and made us serial competitors at the very top for an extended period, fixing the culture of the team and reconnecting it with the public at the same time. 

[Leicesterpool]

7 minutes ago, Raj said:

This is bang on.

 

But tonight could be an absolutely  historic and momentous occasion for England.

This game will not be an easy watch, these Argies know the dark arts if needed.

 

If you've got nails, you won't by the end!!

Sometimes best team never wins the tournament, italy won world cup 2006 and euro 21 without being great.

[Raj]

6 minutes ago, Leicesterpool said:

Sometimes best team never wins the tournament, italy won world cup 2006 and euro 21 without being great.

Portugal were an awful watch when they won Euros.

 

Too tough to call 

[OntarioFox]

Honestly, whatever happens this World Cup has given me that spark again as far as footy is concerned.

 

I'm actually excited for the game tonight. I couldn't tell you the last time I felt that way about Leicester.