An Epic Rivalry Heads to Showdown in England Versus Argentina Semifinal

Depending on who you ask, today’s England versus Argentina World Cup semifinal in Atlanta is either a match made in heaven, a battle of heroes, or a game of superstitions.

By now, even casual fans have heard about Diego Maradona’s self-proclaimed “Hand of God” goal in the quarterfinal against England in Mexico City 40 years ago.

Early in the second half, the compact 5-foot-5 striker scored from what initially was classed as a headed ball, but subsequent footage showed his fist struck the ball into the net.

That was decades before video assistant referees. The goal broke the 0–0 deadlock.

Maradona’s second goal, which turned out to be the game-winner, is less well known, even though it is referred to as the “Goal of the Century.”

The superstar dribbled the ball out of his own end, sprinting past English defenders to put his side up 2–0.

England got one goal back before the final whistle signaled a bitter ending for its players and fans, given the tensions between the two nations over the 1982 Falklands War.

“They [Maradona’s teammates] saw both goals against the English as emanating from a hugely individualistic talent that in style and vision was above and beyond them,” author Jimmy Burns wrote in his biography about Maradona, “Hand of God.”

Burns said: “Their perception fueled Maradona’s own claim of divine inspiration.”

Ironically, Egypt nearly upset Argentina in this World Cup with two goals of similar fashion, where its star player, Mohamed Salah, carried the ball most of the length of the pitch to help his team pull ahead, although one of the goals was overruled due to a foul at the beginning of the play.

Argentina star striker Lionel Messi, who was coached by Maradona in a prior World Cup, scored the tying goal against Egypt in that match, and his side later won it in injury time.

The rivals last met in the 2002 World Cup for a group match, with England’s David Beckham winning the game 1–0 with a penalty kick.

They also met four years earlier, in France during the round of 16. Beckham was sent off with a red card, and Argentina won on penalties.

Argentina, which beat France in the 2022 final, is the reigning World Cup champion. It also won the title in 1986 and 1978.

England has won only one World Cup, in 1966. In that tournament, England beat Argentina in a very heated, violent quarterfinal match.

Much has changed since their last World Cup meeting.

The English Premier League is regarded as the top professional league in the world.

Messi, at 5-foot-7, is hailed as the greatest ever, though he never played in that league, but several of his teammates spent more time with English players as teammates than they do as opponents.

Messi leads this tournament with eight goals, including a hat trick in his first match.

England’s Harry Kane, the 2018 World Cup Golden Boot award winner, has six.

So does teammate Jude Bellingham, who scored both goals in his side’s 2–1 quarterfinal victory over Norway on June 11, including the game-winner in extra time.

Both of them also scored in their first knockout game, against Mexico in Mexico City, in that 3–2 win.

The winner in this game may very well come down to players other than those three stars.

England, in winning shorthanded against Mexico, displayed its defensive prowess with each of its nine players blocking shots for a long stretch of the second half.

Its substitutes have also displayed flashes of brilliance in their playmaking ability, and Coach Thomas Tuchel has been impressive with his tactics while also promising that his squad has yet to play its best soccer.

England’s Anthony Gordon, who has started some matches at left wing, has displayed dangerous speed that keeps back-line players on their heels, and his crosses into the penalty box have been world-class.

Argentina, meanwhile, isn’t ranked second in the world entirely because of Messi.

If England finds a way to contain No. 10, its opponent has a wave of other forwards, midfielders and even defenders with proven goal-scoring ability at the highest levels.

Five of Messi’s teammates who scored goals in this tournament were also on the 2022 team that won the title.

All but one of them have played in the English Premier League.