QtrendsEngland and Argentina face off in a World Cup semifinal, dominating global headlines with historic rivalry, tactical previews, and Messi's legacy narrative. Thomas Tuchel prepares England for the clash, while Messi's Argentina enters as defending champions under scrutiny amid a petition controversy. In golf, the British Open tees off with Scheffler defending and McIlroy chasing a long-awaited major.
England and Argentina meet in a historic World Cup semifinal, their first-ever knockout encounter at this stage. Build-up coverage from Sky Sports, Al Jazeera, and SCMP highlights team news, fan views, and key players to watch. The match carries deep historical weight from their iconic clashes in 1986, 1998, and 2002.
Ahead of the semifinal, media revisit the storied England-Argentina rivalry through iconic moments. Sky Sports explores whether England can stop Messi as he chases more history. BBC looks back at David Batty's infamous penalty miss in 1998, while a photo gallery traces the rivalry from Maradona's Hand of God to Beckham's redemption arc.
England manager Thomas Tuchel believes facing Lionel Messi and Argentina will bring the best performance out of his squad. He insists England have not peaked yet ahead of the semifinal. Coverage from Sky Sports, Al Jazeera, and Arab News paints Tuchel as the tactical mastermind behind England's run.
Argentina enters the semifinal as defending champions but faces mounting pressure. A six-million-signature petition calls for the team's expulsion over alleged favoritism toward Messi. England defender Guehi says the pressure is on Argentina. BBC explores how camaraderie helped Argentina unlock Messi's best form, while China Daily notes Argentina's 'suffering' path past Switzerland.
The British Open at Royal Liverpool features a star-studded field led by world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler defending his title—a feat not achieved since Padraig Harrington in 2008. Rory McIlroy seeks to end his long major drought, and both players headline discussions about extending the major season to grow golf's global appeal.