England and defending champion Argentina 0-0 at halftime in the World Cup semifinals

ATLANTA (AP) — England and defending champion Argentina were even at 0-0 at halftime in the World Cup semifinals on Wednesday.

There were limited chances for either team at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with the play frequently broken up by fouls.

Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez saw one chance fly narrowly over the bar, while England pressed but failed to create any clear goal-scoring opportunities.

The game resumes one of the biggest rivalries in international soccer and there was a raucous atmosphere in the stadium even before kickoff as both sets of fans tried to drown out the other team’s national anthem.

Shortly after the match started, Leandro Paredes went in late on Jude Bellingham and Fernandez did likewise with Elliot Anderson soon after.

Bellingham was repeatedly fouled, but Anderson was the first player to be given an yellow card when stopping Lionel Messi from making a trademark run.

Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez was also shown a yellow for pulling the shirt of Morgan Rogers.

The winner of the match will play Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

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James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson

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