La Scaloneta crushed Angola 2-0 on November 14, 2025 and now eyes a historic semifinal clash at the 2026 World Cup: Cuti Romero and Lisandro Martínez vs Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham.

What’s at stake in the box?

The England match promises a clash of titans. Romero and Martínez must contain Kane, the tournament’s top scorer with 6 goals and an assist, and Bellingham, who bounced back from early criticism to shine. Kane and Romero shared a dressing room at Tottenham, where the Englishman praised the Argentine: “He’s aggressive, smart and quick. A top player.”

The moment that moved Licha

Martínez already faced Kane on October 19, 2022 at Old Trafford. In that 2-0 win, the left-footed defender -then criticized for his height- kept Kane from touching the ball and heard “Argentina, Argentina” from the stands. “It’s very emotional. I wanted to cry. So many moments crossed my mind”, Licha said after the match.

Can Scaloni bring in Otamendi?

With Kane as the reference in the box, Scaloni might opt for a sweeper to shore up defense. Nicolás Otamendi, a World Cup veteran, could be the answer. Tuchel, meanwhile, relies on direct, physical play typical of German football, with Bellingham as the attacking hub.

Bellingham’s journey: from controversy to glory

Bellingham arrived at the World Cup under fire, but Tuchel moved him into the box and the midfielder responded with 6 goals and an assist. “Leave Jude at home” ran the Daily Mirror headline before the tournament, but today he’s England’s great hope. Romero and Martínez must stop his surge if Argentina is to reach the July 19 final in New Jersey.