Dugout Discussion
12 July 2026 86 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
Share:

Who will play England in Wednesday’s FIFA World Cup semi-final?

That question will be answered in the next few hours as Argentina and Switzerland meet in the competition’s one remaining quarter-final.

Kick-off at the Kansas City Stadium is at 02:00 BST.

TEAM NEWS

Argentina’s starting XI is unchanged from the win over Egypt last time out.

That means that Facundo Medina ($4.0m) is again a substitute, with Nicolás Tagliafico ($4.3m) – eligible for Scouting Bonus at 1.3% owned – keeping his place at full-back.

Lautaro Martinez ($8.8m) has to make do with substitute duty again, meanwhile, despite his positive cameo in the Round of 16.

Switzerland are once more without Johan Manzambi ($5.6m) due to injury.

Their only change from the penalty shootout win over Colombia sees Djibril Sow ($6.1m) replace Ardon Jashari ($5.2m).

LINE-UPS

Argentina XI: E. Martinez, Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico, Paredes, De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez, Messi, Alvarez.

Subs: Almada, Barco, Gonzalez, Lo Celso, Lopez, La. Martinez, Medina, Montiel, Musso, Otamendi, Palacios, Paz, Rulli, Senesi, Simeone.

Switzerland XI: Kobel, Zakaria, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez, Freuler, Xhaka, Rieder, Sow, Ndoye, Embolo.

Subs: Aebischer, Amdouni, Amenda, Comert, Fassnacht, Itten, Jaquez, Jashari, Keller, Muheim, Mvogo, Okafor, Vargas, Widmer.


86 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    29 days, 10 hours ago

    No Manzambi again...so annoying

    1. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      29 days, 10 hours ago

      They said he wouldn’t play?

  2. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    29 days, 10 hours ago

    Worth bringing Medina in for 1 point Baena, or leave it be?

  3. dansmith1985
    • 4 Years
    29 days, 10 hours ago

    Bring in Medina for Cucus 2?

    1. Steager
      • 9 Years
      29 days, 10 hours ago

      I’m going to.

  4. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    29 days, 10 hours ago

    "Messi does not need his right foot, though. He only uses the left and he's still the best in the world! Imagine if he also used his right foot... Then we would have serious problems."

    1. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
      • 9 Years
      29 days, 8 hours ago

      I read a theory once which suggested the left handed/footed people have a significant advantage over those who are right.
      I can’t remember the science behind it but ever since that I’ve noticed so many class left footed and handed sports people

      1. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
        • 9 Years
        29 days, 8 hours ago

        I think it was something to do with body orientation and side of the brain, left sided people react quicker or something, was a really interesting read

  5. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
    • 9 Years
    29 days, 8 hours ago

    Well that’s Norway manager job gone lol

    1. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
      • 9 Years
      29 days, 8 hours ago

      Can’t believe he subbed Haaland

      5k sweepstake dream is over 🙁

  6. Absolutely Muñozed
    29 days, 8 hours ago

    oh wow 1-1

  7. McGurn
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    29 days, 8 hours ago

    I hate the favouritism towards Argentina, but that was a clear dive, so fair.

    1. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
      • 9 Years
      29 days, 8 hours ago

      Shouldn’t be red though

      1. McGurn
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 17 Years
        29 days, 8 hours ago

        Not red in isolation agree. But a second yellow!! No debate surely?

        1. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
          • 9 Years
          29 days, 8 hours ago

          Bizarre really - did he forget he was on a yellow I wonder

      2. Sarkha Sam
        • 15 Years
        29 days, 8 hours ago

        wasn't a red card, it was a second yellow

        1. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
          • 9 Years
          29 days, 8 hours ago

          Oh I see, thought it was a straight red!

  8. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
    • 9 Years
    29 days, 8 hours ago

    Well that’s getting overturned, never a red, joke

    1. McGurn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      29 days, 8 hours ago

      The dive? Are you serious?

      1. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
        • 9 Years
        29 days, 8 hours ago

        Yes disagree with a dive resulting in a red card.
        Should be blue card or whatever they were trying to implement (basically time out).

        Red should only ever be for serious foul play or denial of a CGSO

        1. thegame983
          • 9 Years
          29 days, 8 hours ago

          but it was a yellow card

          1. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
            • 9 Years
            29 days, 8 hours ago

            Yeah thought it was straight red, my bad

        2. McGurn
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 17 Years
          29 days, 8 hours ago

          The dive was a clear yellow. He had a yellow already, so red. Sorry but what is the issue?

          1. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
            • 9 Years
            29 days, 8 hours ago

            Ignore me - thought it was straight red, so was thinking of a lesser punishment but more punishment than a yellow (which I thought was the ref’s intention)

            1. McGurn
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 17 Years
              29 days, 8 hours ago

              No problem. Cheers pal!

    2. bso
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      29 days, 8 hours ago

      I feel so bad for Switzerland but man, that was a dive. Stupid Embolo who already had a YC...what a shame.

      1. McGurn
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 17 Years
        29 days, 8 hours ago

        The clearest yellow you will ever see! But yes such a shame. Argentina dont need any additional favours!

  9. FOREST FOREVER 2
    • 1 Year
    29 days, 8 hours ago

    So which England player wil lget the Red Card against Argentina?

    1. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
      • 9 Years
      29 days, 8 hours ago

      Bellingham and Kane probably!

    2. McGurn
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      29 days, 8 hours ago

      On the plus side, this is the first time the world has ever wanted England to win!!

      1. FOREST FOREVER 2
        • 1 Year
        29 days, 8 hours ago

        I certainly watn the mto win. And I am not a three Lion fan. I liked the Norway team till the Boat rowing thing. Just seemed too cheap even for this WC standards.

        1. McGurn
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 17 Years
          29 days, 8 hours ago

          mto?

          1. FOREST FOREVER 2
            • 1 Year
            29 days, 8 hours ago

            ha ha ha . Bad typo.

  10. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
    • 9 Years
    29 days, 8 hours ago

    Get Shaqiri on dat plane

  11. McGurn
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    29 days, 8 hours ago

    I guess we should want Switzerland to win, but i want us to play Argentina. After the Southgate luck, we havent played a "top" team for years and have never beaten a top team in the Word Cup knockouts in my considerable lifetime. Argentina on Wednesday is perfect.

    1. PartyTime
      • 5 Years
      29 days, 6 hours ago

      I don't want England to win but it seems they might win the world cup. Luck is on their side. Argentina's defence is shambolic & Jude has been an exceptional box to box midfielder.

  12. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
    • 9 Years
    29 days, 8 hours ago

    Is Messi the first player ever to move to a lesser league like the US etc but still maintain world class quality?
    Amazing really, one of his biggest standouts vs all the other greats over the years, whose standards inevitably diminish because of the league and age.

    1. bso
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      29 days, 8 hours ago

      Messi is from another planet, so no one similar.
      Can't stand Argentina but love Messi.

    2. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      29 days, 8 hours ago

      Imagine a top-level squad that the central striker doesn't press the ball.
      ARG makes it work but its a major flaw.
      This is a great WC but it is also very diluted.

      Do you think that Julian Alverez Club value has been lowered?

      1. KingZamalek
        • 11 Years
        29 days, 7 hours ago

        Nope. Lol.

      2. Freshy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        29 days, 7 hours ago

        Timing on Alvarez
        Glad there are about 5 people on the forum

  13. BeaversWithAttitude
    • 8 Years
    29 days, 8 hours ago

    Can't take much more of this Messi fanboying...

    1. THE Wild Rover
      • 15 Years
      29 days, 8 hours ago

      It’s embarrassing. He almost shot his bolt when he thought Messi was going to score, but it went wide.

  14. FOREST FOREVER 2
    • 1 Year
    29 days, 8 hours ago

    Gordon vs trafalgar woudl be quite interesting in the SF.

    1. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      29 days, 7 hours ago

      Medina will be back in

      1. Mozumbus
        • 4 Years
        29 days, 6 hours ago

        I was of the view that he shall be back already, few folks here noted that and then taunted me for it as well lol
        I transferred him in after transferring him out last week
        It worked last week, but this week he didn't play wasting the transfer and damaging my whole 4 FT scheme where I preferred Haaland over Bellingham
        But no big Medina specific disadvantage though since argentina could not manage clean sheet
        Question: shall I keep him
        If he plays, I'll have 13 active players using 5 FTs plus Simon, will play CS Shield
        Otherwise, I shall use WC

    2. PartyTime
      • 5 Years
      29 days, 6 hours ago

      It's time to sleep

  15. lilmessipran
    • 13 Years
    29 days, 7 hours ago

    Finally Alvarez, long overdue for a player of his quality

    1. Mozumbus
      • 4 Years
      29 days, 6 hours ago

      It was a beautiful strike
      He was doubted but then showed what can deliver at so crucial and tight situations
      Absolutely worth

      1. lilmessipran
        • 13 Years
        29 days, 3 hours ago

        Indeed

  16. CoracAld2831
    • 5 Years
    29 days, 7 hours ago

    Argentina beats Switzerland in extra time, advances and faces England in the SF.

  17. Mozumbus
    • 4 Years
    29 days, 5 hours ago

    A.
    WC team
    Maignan Pickford
    Cucurella Martinez Medina Upamecano Digne
    Dembelle Bellingham Doue MacAllister Fernandez
    Messi Mbappe Kane

    B.
    5 FTs*, will use Shield
    Simon [Bounou]
    Cucurella Martinez Medina Upamecano* Digne*
    Lamine Dembelle Olise Bellingham* MacAllister*
    Messi Mbappe Madueke*

    1. fenixri
      • 10 Years
      29 days, 5 hours ago

      I would save WC for final if you used Max C but please no Madueke, terrible player.

      1. Mozumbus
        • 4 Years
        29 days, 5 hours ago

        True
        He's coming with Bellingham
        A. Bellingham + Madueke
        B. Oyarzabal + MF within 6.6 not Allister

  18. fenixri
    • 10 Years
    29 days, 5 hours ago

    If chasing big lead (40ish pts) what would be your approach?

    1. Mozumbus
      • 4 Years
      29 days, 5 hours ago

      Any chips left

    2. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 13 Years
      29 days, 4 hours ago

      Logout and wait for FPL to launch

    3. Haa-lala-land
      • 5 Years
      29 days, 4 hours ago

      Maybe try picking a couple of the squad players that noone has, who are likely to be given game time in the 3rd 4th place game

    4. The Hunt
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      29 days, 3 hours ago

      Is he English? If so I'd load up with Spanish and Argentinian players otherwise you'll both have pretty much the same team but he'll have 40 points up his cuff.

  19. Naatie
    • 1 Year
    29 days, 4 hours ago

    And ppl putting the hate on Arg but nobody talks about the Eng equaliser...ok

  20. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    29 days, 4 hours ago

    Does the third place game count in World Cup fantasy?

    May be my only way to claw back 35 points

  21. The Hunt
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    29 days, 4 hours ago

    Interesting fact. Without growth hormone treatment as a kid Messi would be 4 foot 7 inches tall. Perhaps this has given him an unnaturally low centre of gravity and created the player he has become.

    Maybe clubs should invest in those stretchy things you see in medieval movies and get their players on it a couple of times a week.

    1. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 13 Years
      29 days, 4 hours ago

      Maradona was even shorter than Messi at 5’5

      1. JBG
        • 8 Years
        29 days, 3 hours ago

        Maradona was kind of stocky as well though and endured career threatening tackles, specially during WCs.

        1. Count of Monte Hristo
          • 13 Years
          28 days, 19 hours ago

          Points well made

    2. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      29 days, 3 hours ago

      Messi rigged life before he rigged the world cup.

  22. Mozumbus
    • 4 Years
    29 days, 2 hours ago

    A. Saka + Doue
    B. Olise + Fernandez/Rodri?

    Potential WC draft
    Maignan Pickford
    Cucurella Upamecano Digne Lisandro Medina
    Dembelle Olise Bellingham Allister Fernandez/Rodri

    1. Mozumbus
      • 4 Years
      29 days, 2 hours ago

      Incomplete post above
      Potential WC draft
      Maignan Pickford
      Cucurella Upamecano Digne Lisandro Medina
      Dembelle Olise Bellingham Allister Fernandez/Rodri
      Messi Mbappe Lautaro

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      29 days, 2 hours ago

      B

  23. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 9 Years
    29 days, 2 hours ago

    I'm looking at a -3
    Have exact money for this

    Freese -> Maignan
    Cubarsi -> Romero
    Halhal -> NOR
    Olmo -> Gordon
    Nusa -> Doue/Enzo
    Haaland -> Oyarzabal

    Team would be

    Maignan Martinez
    Cucurella Digne Romero NOR Molina
    Dembele Olise Bellingham Gordon Doue/Enzo
    Mbappe Messi Oyarzabal

  24. supercolso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    29 days, 2 hours ago

    I know most are thinking World Cup Fantasy just now but has anyone found any decent rotation pairs for FPL.(don't just mean home/away slip but good fixtures)
    Struggling to find any that don't include a promoted team.

    Thanks.

  25. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    29 days, 2 hours ago

    CS Shield +26 points has saved my tournament. 104 points this round. Let's see if I can finish strong. Got some money leagues where it matters.

    1. HVT
      • 15 Years
      29 days, 1 hour ago

      On the opposite hand I played mine last week and got 0 and has allowed lots round me to gain 20+ points

      Well played but luck has played its part too.

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        29 days, 1 hour ago

        Oh for sure. But at the same time I feel I got super unlucky in the group stages with clean sheets. So many late goals ruining Scouting Bonus defenders. It all goes around and comes around.

        Leaving Haaland on the bench in MD2 because I fell asleep before the France game ended was a disaster. 11 points lost and will probably cost me a heft amount in my money leagues.

        1. HVT
          • 15 Years
          29 days, 54 mins ago

          Fair enough, I feel this format brings lots of the above as you mention for most managers.
          Just staying tuned in is worth 10-20 points easily.

          Like you I’m in a few cash leagues but need to try something different to get nearer the top.
          It’s difficult as teams converge now, so it’s down to picking players who can get goals/assists.
          I’ve max captain left (thinking Final)

          I’m interested in your thoughts on how you feel you can close those gaps?

    2. Mozumbus
      • 4 Years
      29 days, 1 hour ago

      Wow! That's by far the best Shield return I have heard so far

    3. Christina.
      • 16 Years
      28 days, 21 hours ago

      nice
      same here, 26 pts
      I Baena stayed on for 5 mins longer it would have been 27

  26. fenixri
    • 10 Years
    29 days, 2 hours ago

    What is expected backline for England against Argentina?

    Konsa-Guehi-Stones-O'Reilly ?

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      29 days, 2 hours ago

      That's or

      James-Konsa-Guehi--O'Reilly

      1. fenixri
        • 10 Years
        29 days, 1 hour ago

        So Stones is doubt.

  27. AAAFootball
    • 1 Year
    29 days, 2 hours ago

    Why does everyone say it's rigged to Argentina?
    The truth is that Argentina are professionals, and very experienced professionals. I love the underdogs as much as anyone, but if the mo Salah tackle happened to messi before Egypt scored a late winner, everybody would be raging if the ref calls that pen no goal. Why can't he call pen no goal here? It was a soft soft tackle at worst, and Salah had already lost the ball.
    Even worse is people saying the Swiss red was rigged, although it's unfortunate, when you look at var it is clear as day a simulation. If embolo does a simulation to get a yellow on de Paul, he deserves the second yellow for not using his brain!

    Even the Norway goal, I didn't see a good angle but from what I did see it could just be the ball spinning, or a gust of wind. Plus, we can see the graph showing no touch on the ball. Lastly, why would FIFA want to rig it to England anyway? Norway are everybody's favourite underdogs, and far more iconic than a somewhat misfiring England, who draw very little global support outside their own country and perhaps Australia or New Zealand.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      29 days, 1 hour ago

      Ray Doyle and William Bodie were the real Professionals!

  28. Mozumbus
    • 4 Years
    29 days, 1 hour ago

    How does this 5 FT* team looks, plan to use Shield now, and WC in the final/qualifier, exact funds

    Simon [Bounou]
    Cucurella Lisandro Medina Upamecano* Digne*
    Lamine Dembelle Olise Allister* DePaul*
    Messi Mbappe Lautoro*

    Mojica + Ryerson + Saibari + Ounahi + Haaland > Upamecano + Digne + Allister + DePaul + Lautoro

    A. DePaul + Lautoro
    B. Bellingham + Madueke

    Any other ideas please

    1. HVT
      • 15 Years
      29 days, 51 mins ago

      B

  29. Czabby12
    • 5 Years
    29 days, 12 mins ago

    Apologies if this has been discussed before.All the instructions only mention the final….is the 3rd and 4th place play off included in this as often high scoring so the odd attacker punt could be worth it