ATLANTA — It’s a World Cup semifinal lineup for the ages.
Four previous champions of the tournament and the four top-ranked men’s soccer teams in the world. Five of the six top scorers, one of the greatest players of all time in Lionel, and one of the most bitter rivalries in soccer.
Argentina, Spain, France and England went into the tournament as the top four in FIFA’s rankings and are two wins away from being crowned World Cup champion again. It’s just too close to call either semifinal matchup: France will play Spain on Tuesday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Argentina will face England on Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Not since 1990 has the final four of a World Cup been made up entirely of previous winners. Argentina and England were involved then, although they didn’t play each other. Then, like now, Argentina was the reigning champion — after beating West Germany in the 1986 final in Mexico — and went on to lose to West Germany in the 1990 final.
And this year would also produce a repeat final from the 2022 tournament in Quatar if Argentina and France both make it to next Sunday’s title showdown at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.