England and Argentina Renew World Cup Rivalry in Semi-Final
Ethan Moore 
Key Takeaways:
- England faces Argentina in a World Cup semi-final in Atlanta.
- Lionel Messi will play against England for the first time.
- England holds the historical edge across five World Cup meetings.
England will face Argentina on Wednesday in Atlanta for a place in the World Cup final. Defending world champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, will take on Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions, who are bidding to end 60 years of hurt. The semi-final match marks the first time in Messi's career that he will play against England.
Six Decades of World Cup History
The footballing rivalry between the two nations started in 1962 when England secured a 3-1 group stage victory, establishing a legacy that still impacts World Cup betting markets today. The tension escalated during the 1966 quarter-final at Wembley, where England won 1-0. Argentina captain Antonio Rattin was sent off, causing an eight-minute delay, and England manager Alf Ramsey described the Argentine side as 'animals'. Reflecting on the match, England defender George Cohen stated, "They were trying to intimidate us. The trouble was when they found out they weren't going to get their way they fell into some of the worst excesses I've ever seen."
Political tensions surrounding the Falklands War heightened the animosity ahead of the 1986 quarter-final. Argentina won 2-1 following Diego Maradona's infamous "Hand of God" goal. BBC World Service's Lourdes Heredia noted, "When I lived and worked in Argentina, people regularly brought up the Hand of God. But this is to forget that the second goal was just spectacular - almost unbelievable."
A Historic Clash for a Final Spot
The 1998 last-16 clash in France saw Argentina advance on penalties after a 2-2 draw, a match defined by David Beckham's red card and featuring standout players who frequently drive Argentine Primera División betting. England later gained redemption in the 2002 group stage in Japan, with Beckham scoring the only goal from the penalty spot to secure a 1-0 win.
Despite Argentina's status as defending champions and perennial favorites in Copa América betting odds, England holds the historical edge across their five World Cup matchups. However, the two sides have not met in the tournament since 2002. With a place in the World Cup final on the line, Tuchel's squad will attempt to overcome Messi and navigate a fixture historically defined by wonder goals, red cards, and intense rivalries.
