It’s a World Cup semi-final line-up for many years: four past champions and four top-ranked teams in the world. Five of the six top scorers, one of the goats and one of the best opponents in football.
Argentina, Spain, France and England entered the tournament as the top four in the Fifa rankings and have won twice before being crowned world champions again. France play Spain in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday (Wednesday 3am Hong Kong time) and England face Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday (3am Thursday).
Not since 1990 have four World Cup finals been made up of past winners. England and Argentina were involved at the time, although they did not play. Then, as now, Argentina were the defending champions – after beating West Germany in the 1986 final in Mexico – and went on to lose to West Germany in the 1990 final.
And this year there could also be a repeat final from 2022 if both France and Argentina progress.
England v Argentina: a tough contest
Argentina must beat England in a match that will bring back a fierce rivalry that goes beyond the football field, with tensions also related to the 1982 dispute over the Falkland Islands.
