PHOTOS: Physicality marks England vs. Argentina World Cup semifinal in Atlanta

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PHOTOS: Physicality marks England vs. Argentina World Cup semifinal in Atlanta

England and Argentina were physical from the start of their semi-final match. There were six combined fouls in just the first 10 minutes of the semifinal.

Fireworks go off after playing national anthems before start of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Argentina's Giuliano Simeone, right, fouls England's Marc Guehi during first half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Jason Getz/AJC)

England defender John Stones, (5), heads the ball away from goal during second half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

England's Elliot Anderson, center, and Argentina's Giuliano Simeone argue after Anderson fouled Argentina's Lionel Messi during first half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Argentina's Lionel Messi controls the ball as England's Harry Kane gives chase during first half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Jason Getz/AJC)

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford kicks the ball away from a charging Argentina's Julian Alvarez during first half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Argentina's Nahuel Molina, left, battles England's Anthony Gordon during first half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Argentina's Lionel Messi controls ball between England's Anthony Gordon, left and England's Elliot Anderson during first half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Argentina's Enzo Fernandez calls for foul during first half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Argentina's Lionel Messi, left, moves the ball past England's Elliot Anderson during first half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Jason Getz/AJC)

England's Jude Bellingham hits the ground between Argentina's Enzo Fernandez, left and Argentina's Cristian Romero during first half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

England's Elliot Anderson, right, fouls Argentina's Lionel Messi and receives a yellow card during first half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Referee Ismail Elfath awards a yellow card to England's Elliot Anderson, upper left, for a foul on Argentina's Lionel Messi during first half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford reaches for ball during first half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford reacts to a cornerkick call during first half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Jason Getz/AJC)

England's Jude Bellingham is upended going for ball during first half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Argentina's Julian Alvarez, left battles England's Reece James for ball during first half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Argentina's Lionel Messi goes flying between England's Djed Spence, left and England's Jude Bellingham during first half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

England's Reece James, left and Argentina's Nicolas Tagliafico collide during first half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

England's Anthony Gordon, right, scores a goal despite the defense of Argentina's Nahuel Molina (during second half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Jason Getz/AJC)

England's Anthony Gordon is mobbed by teammates after scoring goal during second half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

England fans celebrate goal of England's Anthony Gordon during first half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Argentina's Alexis Mac Allister reacts to getting fouled during first half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Jason Getz/AJC)

England's Elliot Anderson, front and Argentina's Enzo Fernandez hit the ground fighting for ball during first half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Argentina's Lionel Messi rides the back of teammate Argentina's Enzo Fernandez after he scored the tying goal against England in FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Argentina's Lionel Messi gets away from England's Harry Kane during first half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Argentina's Enzo Fernandez scores goal to tie game during second half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford can't stop the goal by Argentina's Enzo Fernandez during second half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (1) lies on the ground after Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández (24) scored during the World Cup semifinal soccer game between Argentina and England at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Argentina's Enzo Fernandez celebrates his goal to tie the game during second half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Argentina's Lautaro Martinez (22) heads the ball past England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford for the winning goal during second half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Argentina's Giuliano Simeone, left and England's Djed Spence battle for ball during second half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Argentina's Cristian Romero, left, wraps up England's Jude Bellingham during second half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Argentina's Lautaro Martinez heads in the winning goal during second half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Argentina's Lautaro Martinez, (22), is mobbed by teammates after the winning goal during second half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Argentina's Lautaro Martinez, (22), is mobbed by teammates after the winning goal during second half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

England's player react to falling behind 2-1 after call by Argentina's Lautaro Martinez during second half of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates his teams win at end of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Argentina's Enzo Fernandez and teammates celebrate their win over England in FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Argentina fans celebrate victory over England at FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Jason Getz/AJC)

England players on field after losing to Argentina in FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Argentina's Lionel Messi is lifted on the shoulders of teammates following victory vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Jason Getz/AJC)

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Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC

Fireworks go off after playing national anthems before start of Argentina vs. England FIFA World Cup Semifinal match at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

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