England vs. Argentina: A football rivalry full of history
From the Falkland Islands to Diego Maradona and David Beckham, there is so much history between the two 2026 World Cup semifinalists. World Cup holders
From the Falkland Islands to Diego Maradona and David Beckham, there is so much history between the two 2026 World Cup semifinalists. World Cup holders Argentina are to face England in the 2026 World Cup semifinal in Atlanta – a match that will take place against the background of an intense history between the two nations. In April 1982, the unpopular General Leopoldo Galtieri, who led Argentina under a military junta at the time, ordered an invasion of the Falkland Islands, which are known to Argentinians as "Las Malvinas." The United Kingdom's then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher sent a "task force" of approximately 26,000 troops to take back the territory. The conflict lasted 74 days and ended with Argentina's surrender on June 14, 1982. Argentines see the roots of that conflict as going back to 1833, when the United Kingdom took military control of the islands, located about 500 kilometers (300 miles) off Argentina's eastern coast, from Argentine authorities. In 2016, Argentina sought negotiations with the United Kingdom over the Falklands. While no changes to sovereignty were made, there was cooperation on practical matters. The Falklands War claimed the lives of hundreds of soldiers on both sides Image: PA/empics/dpa/picture alliance Argentina's 'revenge' When asked about the significance of this history on the game, Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni was quick to shut that thinking down.
"No, no, no," Scaloni said, emphatically. "This is just a football match. Let’s not look for other stuff. It’s a football game against a great team, with a great manager who I admire. But it’s a football match. End of." Nevertheless, Argentina's Vice President Victoria Villarruel posted the following message on social media the day of the game "Tomorrow we play against the usurping pirates. This isn't just another match. I'm not going to be politically correct or cold-hearted; against the English, it's always something more. It's the Malvinas, it's Diego, it's Leo's last one, and it's putting the brakes on the invaders. Go Argentina! Because until our last breath, we're going to claim what's ours!" On the field, some of the most iconic and infamous moments in the history of football have happened between the two nations, which is a huge reason why the rivalry is so intense. It starts perhaps as far back as 1966, when England beat Argentina in the quarterfinals. Argentina felt England's goal scored by Geoff Hurst was offside and the Argentina captain Antonio Rattin was sent off in controversial fashion, with England's heead coach Alf Ramsey calling the Argentine players "animals".
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