Breaking down England-Argentina World Cup semifinal, plus a prediction

ARLINGTON, Texas — As if we could ask for more out of this World Cup, here comes the most emotional match of the tournament, featuring the sport’s greatest player, with a spot in the final on the line.For a fixture that is so rarely played — it will be Lionel Messi’s first time facing England, having missed his lone opportunity over 20 years ago due to a red-card suspension — there is so much history.The specter of Diego Maradona in particular will hang over Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Wednesday.

So too the Falklands War, which still occupies a huge place in Argentina’s institutional memory bank.England can make the final for the first time since 1966.Argentina can keep alive its chances of going back-to-back and ending Messi’s international career by making him the undisputed greatest.

The Post breaks down the matchup.It took Thomas Tuchel until midway into the second half against Norway to finally have a lineup on the field that seemed to make sense.He can’t wait that long here.There are choices between Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke at right wing; between Djed Spence, Ezri Konsa and Reece James at right back; between Konsa, John Stones and Dan Burn to play center back next to Marc Guehi.

There is Declan Rice’s health to worry about, too, though the central midfielder has been in training after suffering illness in the run-up to the Norway match.That is a lot of questions for a team at this stage of the tournament, and Tuchel has to answer them all correctly.We have so rarely seen the best of England in this World Cup.

If Rice and Elliot Anderson can control the midfield, things will flow from there.Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane’s quality up front has carried England, particularly so against Norway, but it’s hard to imagine that will continue to be enough.

Can Tuchel get more from his wingers and fullbacks? Will he make the right choices early enough in the match, instead of later on? Maybe this is a match to try Morgan Rogers on ...