Argentina’s Path to the World Cup Semifinals Sparks Debate

There’s a lot of chatter surrounding notions like destiny, perseverance, and what people call “championship DNA.” But as the 2026 FIFA World Cup rolls on, another term seems to trail Argentina: lucky.

Whether the reigning champs have truly earned their spot through skill or enjoyed a series of fortunate breaks often hinges on personal allegiance—what jersey you’re rooting for can change your perspective entirely.

As Argentina gears up to face England in Atlanta on Wednesday night for a shot at the final, one fact is clear: no other semifinalist has generated as much discussion about their journey.

Fans have humorously dubbed them “VARgentina,” taking to social media with memes featuring FIFA president Gianni Infantino in Argentina’s iconic sky blue and white, and Lionel Messi depicted in a toy car racing toward another trophy. For supporters from Egypt and Switzerland, Argentina’s path has felt almost like a dramatic courtroom saga, with video reviews consistently seeming to favor them.

During the round of 16 against Egypt, Argentina appeared on the brink of elimination. Egypt believed they had scored one of the tournament’s top goals, extending their lead to 2-0, only for VAR to step in and wipe the advantage clean. Argentina managed to claw back from a two-goal deficit, scoring the dramatic winning goal in stoppage time. It left Egypt fuming, with players voicing concerns about whether FIFA was determined to keep Messi’s farewell World Cup alive.

Then, in the quarterfinal against Switzerland, Switzerland equalized in the 67th minute, but Argentina responded mid-way through the second half. After a lengthy VAR review, the dynamics flipped once again.

The referee initially booked Argentina’s Leandro Paredes, but after viewing the footage, he determined that Briel Embolo had been involved. With Embolo already cautioned, he received a second yellow, leaving Switzerland a man down. Julián Alvarez later scored the decisive goal in extra time.

There’s no denying Argentina’s run has included three penalties, two opposition goals overturned, an own goal from Cape Verde, and a crucial red card against Switzerland. These instances fuel conspiracy theories among critics.

Yet, among Argentina’s ranks, discussions of luck or conspiracy seem absent.

“We knew we were going to suffer,” coach Lionel Scaloni remarked. “In Qatar, we were inexperienced, myself included. But now, we’re seasoned. We know how to handle pressure and stay composed. We’ll never give up.”

This sentiment has become emblematic of Argentina’s identity.

“We keep fighting until the final whistle,” Alvarez noted after their overtime victory against Switzerland. “We never stop believing. Sometimes suffering is part of the game, especially in these knockout matches, where every detail matters.”

Midfielder Thiago Almada echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the unity of the team. “Our strength lies in our group. We’ve faced challenges multiple times this tournament, but we’ve always found a way to pull through.”

José Manuel “Flaco” López perhaps captures the essence of the Argentine mindset best. “Winning like this after enduring till the end is something special. We’re the defending champions and boast some of the greatest players ever. That’s what sets us apart.”

On the flip side, England’s trek to the semifinals tells a similarly gripping tale. Harry Kane saved the Three Lions in a late game against Congo and faced significant pressure, spending over 40 minutes with just ten players against Mexico. Their match with Norway involved an intriguing Skycam incident that led to a disallowed goal for Norway. Manager Thomas Tuchel later acknowledged their team was fortunate.

Much like Argentina, England has become known for their resilience rather than dominance.

Both sides have flaws and have had to stage comebacks in tough situations. Messi has continuously provided game-changing moments for Argentina, just as Kane and Bellingham have for England.

“This is monumental,” Kane said. “Reaching the World Cup semifinals against the reigning champions is what childhood dreams are made of.”

From the 1966 World Cup to Diego Maradona’s infamous Hand of God, England and Argentina have a storied history filled with controversies on the pitch.

Now, another chapter is set to unfold.