Atlanta. England's World Cup semifinal against Argentina on Wednesday offers more than a clash between two football powerhouses. It also pits Lionel Messi against Jude Bellingham in a battle between two of the tournament's standout No. 10s.

Both players have inspired their teams' runs to the final four, and the outcome could hinge on which star makes the bigger impact.

"We know how good Messi is," England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford said of the 39-year-old Argentina captain, who continues to deliver world-class performances.

Messi will face England for the first time in his illustrious career.

"He's scored so many goals and contributed to so many others throughout his career. It's great to finally go up against him," Pickford said.

Messi Chasing More History
Already regarded by many as the greatest footballer of all time, Messi is looking to strengthen that legacy by leading Argentina to back-to-back World Cup titles.

The tournament's all-time leading scorer with 21 goals, Messi has scored eight times in this year's competition, playing a decisive role in Argentina's victories, including narrow wins over Cape Verde and Egypt.

"It's just incredible—his tournament, the way he carries that team," England coach Thomas Tuchel said. "There are no words left to describe his achievements, the responsibility he carries and the quality he continues to show."

Messi captained Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title, matching Diego Maradona's achievement in 1986. Another championship would further cement his place among football's all-time greats.

"Trying to draw inspiration from what Diego did is difficult. Only Leo can do that," Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister said.

Bellingham Answers His Critics
England's own talisman, Jude Bellingham, represents the next generation.

The 23-year-old Real Madrid midfielder is playing in his second World Cup and has scored six goals, including braces against Mexico and Norway in the knockout rounds.

His performances have silenced doubts after Tuchel left him out of England's squad before the tournament, prompting speculation over his place in the team.

There is little debate now.

Tuchel described Bellingham as "world-class" after his two-goal display against Norway and praised him alongside captain Harry Kane, who has also scored six goals.

"They have delivered like crazy," Tuchel said.

While Kane has provided consistent leadership, Bellingham has produced some of England's biggest moments in recent matches.

"We all believe football is a team sport, but we also rely on world-class moments from world-class players," Tuchel said.

Stopping the Stars
Both teams face the challenge of containing each other's biggest threats.

Tuchel said England had even considered assigning a player to shadow Messi throughout the match.

"Everyone knows the spaces where he wants to receive the ball," Tuchel said. "If you close one pattern, he'll simply find another. That's what makes him so special."

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni faces a similar challenge in trying to neutralize both Bellingham and Kane.

"We're facing two of the best players in the world," Scaloni said. "We'll do our best to stop them. We have our own weapons and we'll try to prevent them from playing their game."

A Historic Rivalry
England and Argentina share one of international football's fiercest rivalries, fueled not only by memorable World Cup encounters but also by lingering tensions following the 1982 Falklands War.

The rivalry has produced some of football's most iconic moments, from Antonio Rattin's controversial dismissal in 1966 to Diego Maradona's infamous "Hand of God" goal and his stunning solo effort in Argentina's 2-1 quarterfinal victory in 1986.

England also remembers David Beckham's red card in the 1998 World Cup before losing to Argentina in a penalty shootout. The English gained some revenge in 2002, defeating Argentina 1-0 with Beckham converting a penalty.

"If a fixture has produced so many iconic moments, you can't really say it's just another football match," Tuchel said. "But as a coach, that's exactly how we approach it. We don't talk about history or the iconic moments."

Scaloni said Maradona's unforgettable solo goal in 1986 remains one of football's greatest memories.

"That goal will stay in our hearts forever," he said. "Anyone who loves football remembers it. It just happened to be against England. It would have been just as beautiful against anyone else."

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