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Messi & England: A World Cup Meeting That Never Was
15 Jul
Summary
- England and Argentina have never met in a senior international football match.
- Messi missed their last encounter in 2005 due to suspension.
- Multiple World Cups saw their paths narrowly miss each other.
A highly anticipated senior international match between England and Argentina, featuring Lionel Messi, has historically never occurred. Despite five previous World Cups and various tournament draws, suspensions, and eliminations, fate has repeatedly kept these footballing giants from facing each other on the pitch.
The last encounter between the two nations was a friendly in Geneva on November 12, 2005. England achieved a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory. Notably, this match was meant to be Lionel Messi's first against England, but he was suspended after receiving a red card on his senior debut just months prior.
In subsequent World Cups, their paths have consistently diverged. During the 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022 tournaments, England and Argentina were placed in opposite halves of the knockout stages, precluding a meeting unless both reached the final.
Opportunities outside the World Cup also arose. England's loss on penalties to Italy in the Euro 2020 final, played in July 2021, prevented them from participating in the 2022 Finalissima against Copa América champions Argentina. Messi inspired Argentina to a 3-0 victory in that match. Similarly, a Euro 2024 final loss denied England a chance to face Argentina in a subsequent Finalissima.
