Jordan Pickford: England priority evident as Everton goalkeeper must step up vs Argentina
The two great footballing nations will meet one another for the first time since 2005 in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup at Atlanta Stadium on 15 July.
Norway were knocked out by the Three Lions, while La Albiceleste managed to get past Switzerland in the quarter-finals of the competition in North America.
One concern Thomas Tuchel will certainly have is Pickford's form at the World Cup despite coming off a decent campaign at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Against Stale Solbakken's team, the 32-year-old conceded a cheap goal from Andreas Schjelderup that he arguably should have saved.
Jude Bellingham mounted a comeback for England, but their success against Argentina may hinge on the Toffees' goalkeeper.
Jordan Pickford's 2026 World Cup stats as Everton goalkeeper struggles
Pickford will surely be the first to admit that he hasn't had the best of tournaments for England this summer.
The Englishman has played every minute for the Three Lions at the World Cup, keeping two clean sheets in six matches and conceding an average of one goal per game, according to Sofascore.
Pickford has recorded two saves per game, a passing accuracy of 73 per cent and has made one error that led to a shot and a goal.
Maybe the most damning statistic is his goals-prevented score of minus 2.74, highlighting his frailties in between the sticks.
Why Argentina are the toughest test for Jordan Pickford
After Argentina's 3-1 win over Switzerland, they became the team with the most goals in the tournament so far.
Lionel Messi is one of the leading goalscorers at the 2026 World Cup, while Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez seem to be coming into form at the right time for Lionel Scaloni.
In the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and the Atletico Madrid striker, La Albiceleste have two players capable of testing Pickford from long distance.
Argentina have scored the most goals from set-pieces at the World Cup, with five, and are tied with England for the most goals scored from corners.
The Everton goalkeeper will undoubtedly need to have the game of his life to give England the best chance of qualifying for the final.