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England’s quest to lift the World Cup for the first time in 60 years reaches its biggest moment yet tonight as Thomas Tuchel’s side lock horns with holders Argentina in Atlanta for a place in Sunday’s final against Spain.

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Only three times before have the Three Lions reached the semi-finals of the competition, and awaiting them this time are familiar foes. England and Argentina renew one of football’s most famous rivalries for the first time in over two decades, with the winners earning the right to compete for the biggest prize in international football on Sunday.

The setting should also come as welcome relief for England. After surviving the sweltering conditions of Miami in the quarter-finals, Tuchel’s players will return to the air-conditioned surroundings of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium following an exhausting 120-minute contest against Norway.

England looked destined to crash out before Jude Bellingham once again inspired a turnaround, producing another match-winning brace to send his side into the final four.

There is a growing sense that this England team is ready to achieve something special. Semi-finalists eight years ago and runners-up at each of the last two European Championships, the Three Lions believe they now possess the experience, confidence and quality required to finally clear the final hurdle.

The arrival of Tuchel has only strengthened that feeling. Since taking charge 18 months ago, the German has instilled belief and tactical discipline, with England hoping his proven pedigree in knockout football can be the difference when the pressure is at its highest.

England’s journey to the semi-finals has featured plenty of drama. They finished top of Group L after beating Croatia and Panama, while also taking a point from Ghana, before escaping with a dramatic 2-1 victory over DR Congo in the round of 32 thanks to two late Harry Kane goals.

A thrilling 3-2 success against Mexico at the Estadio Azteca followed in the last 16 before another comeback, this time against Norway after extra time, kept England’s dream alive.

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If England are chasing history, Argentina are attempting to make it.

The reigning world champions stand just two victories away from becoming the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to retain the World Cup, underlining the remarkable consistency Lionel Scaloni has overseen during his time in charge.

It has not all been straightforward for La Albiceleste, however. Their knockout campaign has been built as much on determination and composure as attacking brilliance, repeatedly finding answers when elimination appeared a genuine possibility.

Scaloni himself is also on the verge of joining an exclusive group. Another World Cup triumph would make him only the second manager to win the competition twice with the same nation, and the first to achieve the feat in almost a century.

Leading the charge, unsurprisingly, is Lionel Messi.

Now 39 years old, the Argentina captain continues to perform on football’s grandest stage. His eight goals in six appearances have left him tied for first in the race for the Golden Boot, while his remarkable haul of 21 World Cup goals has established him as the tournament’s all-time leading scorer.

Argentina were flawless during the group stage, recording victories over Algeria, Austria and Jordan to finish top of Group J with maximum points.

The knockout rounds have demanded considerably more from the defending champions. They needed extra time to finally see off tournament newcomers Cape Verde before producing one of the comebacks of the competition against Egypt, overturning a two-goal deficit with three strikes in the final 11 minutes, including a dramatic winner deep into stoppage time.

Their quarter-final proved another stern examination as they eventually overcame a Switzerland side reduced to 10 men after an additional half-hour.

Matches between England and Argentina rarely lack storylines, and Wednesday’s encounter promises to be no different.

Although England have won more meetings overall, many of the rivalry’s most unforgettable moments have favoured the South Americans. Diego Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal and breathtaking solo effort ended England’s hopes in 1986 before David Beckham’s dismissal preceded another painful World Cup exit on penalties 12 years later.

England, though, have enjoyed the upper hand in more recent meetings. Beckham’s penalty secured a memorable victory at the 2002 World Cup before Michael Owen struck twice late on to inspire a dramatic 3-2 success when the nations last met in 2005.

For supporters searching for a positive omen, history provides one. England also faced Argentina in the knockout stages of their victorious 1966 World Cup campaign, when Sir Geoff Hurst scored the decisive goal before the Three Lions went on to become world champions for the first – and, to date, only – time.

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