Lionel Messi's Argentina will face England in a marquee World Cup semi-final on Wednesday, with Spain waiting in the final after ending France's hopes of a third title.
The meeting between two of world football's biggest nations is one of the tournament's standout fixtures. It also carries added significance because of long-standing political tensions.
Messi ready to take on England for first time ever
Lionel Scaloni's Argentina are seeking to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to retain the World Cup. The achievement would provide a remarkable farewell on football's biggest stage for Messi.
The 39-year-old, who shares the lead in the Golden Boot race with eight goals, inspired Argentina to the World Cup title in Qatar in 2022, which had been expected to be his final appearance in the competition.
However, he has returned and played a key part in Argentina's run to the semi-finals. He scored in hard-fought 3-2 wins over Cape Verde and Egypt.
Argentina and England meet with a place in the World Cup final at stake
Three-time champions Argentina will face a stronger opponent in Atlanta than those they have met so far, although England have shown only flashes of their best form.
Thomas Tuchel's side have relied heavily on Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, who have scored 12 of England's 13 goals.
The teams will meet in a competitive fixture for the first time since the 2002 World Cup.
Tuchel said he did not feel extra pressure despite the importance of the occasion as England pursue their first World Cup final since winning the tournament in 1966.
"I don't feel a burden," he said. "We feel the tension and will be nervous, but that is normal.
"What I like is that I feel the players are really competitive, hungry and excited to play this match."
The German also said midfielder Declan Rice, who had been struggling with illness, was fit to start.
History of drama
The history of this fixture is full of dramatic moments.
Their most famous World Cup meeting ended in a 2-1 victory for Argentina in the quarter-finals in Mexico in 1986. Diego Maradona scored both goals, including the infamous "Hand of God" and a memorable solo effort.
Maradona, who died aged 60 in 2020, has been on the mind of Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister before the match.
"Diego represents so much for the country and I hope we can do something similar to what they did in 1986," Mac Allister said.
The 27-year-old Liverpool midfielder, who was part of Argentina's 2022 World Cup-winning squad, said Maradona possessed exceptional ability.
"He was able to do things that came naturally to him and it is practically impossible to repeat them. Maybe only Leo (Messi) could do that."
Matches between Argentina and England take place against the backdrop of the long-running sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands, known in Spanish as the Malvinas.
Britain sent a military taskforce in 1982 to regain the islands after Argentine forces invaded.
Scaloni has sought to keep the focus on football.
"The reality is this is a football match," he said. "I am not going to mix everything up, especially regarding things that happened so long ago.
"It was a very sad time in our history and we can't do much about it. This is a football game, that's all."
Both teams, ranked among FIFA's top four, are competing for the chance to face Spain in Sunday's final in New Jersey.
Spain secured their place in the final after a commanding victory over France in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday, ending the French side's hopes of a third World Cup title.
European champions Spain produced a clinical display to ensure France manager Didier Deschamps ended his World Cup career with defeat.
"We started almost four years ago with an idea and we've been faithful to that idea and it's brought us here," Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said.
"These players deserve everything. Day after day they have shown their commitment, their solidarity, their generosity and their talent. They make the difficult look easy."
.jpg&w=640&q=75 "Kane says England won't be distracted by Argentina rivalry")
