Argentina-England: The 40-year rivalry, Maradona in 1986, Messi's date in 2026

On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, Argentina and England meet in the World Cup semifinal in Atlanta. This rivalry is rooted in the 1982 Falklands War, which left deep scars in Argentina. Four years later, Diego Maradona scored two legendary goals in the 1986 quarterfinal: the 'Hand of God' and the 'Goal of the Century'. The 2026 match revives this memory and the historic rivalry between the two nations.