Shadow of Falklands, Maradona’s legacy: England vs Argentina – the fate of the match “owed” to Lionel Messi

Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Lionel Messi (Image Agency) “And you see it and you see it. He who does not jump is an Englishman!”“And now you see, and now you see, who doesn’t jump is an Englishman.”It is one of the most common chants among Argentine soccer fans and players. He follows the team wherever it goes, regardless of the opposition. Argentina supporters sing it from the stands. Players are added after victories. It has become part of Argentina’s football identity.England don’t even have to be the opposition for Argentina supporters to chant that slogan. But as Argentina prepares for Thursday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup (IST) semi-final against the Three Lions in Atlanta, those words will carry more animosity and emotion.Argentina vs. England is a rivalry that spans generations. Rooted in football, history, politics and colonialism, after more than two decades of international career, more than 200 appearances and 125 goals, Lionel Messi will play against England for the first time as defending champions Argentina look to stop Thomas Tuchel’s England in their first World Cup final since 1966.It’s a rivalry that began in 1962 and has since sparked controversy, red cards and some iconic goals.Political tensions and military conflicts, particularly those surrounding the 1982 Falklands War, continue to affect the relationship between the two football-rabid nations. Argentina players and supporters still refer to the conflict in football songs.After Argentina defeated Switzerland in the quarter-finals, the celebrations continued in the dressing room. Videos shared by the Argentine Football Association showed the team singing together. One chant honored Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi while also referencing the Falkland Islands.“For Malvinas, for Diego, for Leo.“For Malvinas, for Diego, for Leo’s last (tournament).”Las Malvinas is the name used in Argentina for the Falkland Islands, a British territory about 300 miles (480 km) off the east coast of Argentina.The two countries went to war over the islands in 1982. The conflict lasted 74 days and ended with the capitulation of Argentina. A total of 649 Argentine soldiers, 255 British soldiers and three Falkland Islanders were killed, while more than 2,300 others were wounded.Even today, the Falklands remain a symbol of nationalism in Argentina.A look at football’s fiercest international rivalryIt’s a rivalry shaped by decades of bitterness, where football and history have often collided.The first World Cup meeting came in 1962, but the rivalry really intensified four years later.1962: England 3-1 Argentina (Rancagua, Chile – Group Stage)Compared to what followed, this match was relatively quiet.Goals from Ron Flowers, Bobby Charlton and Jimmy Greaves gave England a 3-0 lead before Argentina grabbed a late consolation.Both teams finished the group stage with one win, one draw and one defeat, but England progressed on goal difference.England were later eliminated by Brazil in the quarter-finals.1966: England 1-0 Argentina (Wembley, England – quarter final)This remains the only World Cup that England has won.The quarter-final is still remembered in Argentina as a match they believe was rigged, with claims that Geoff Hurst’s winning goal was offside.That wasn’t the only controversy in the game.Argentina captain Antonio Rattin was sent off in the 33rd minute after two fouls in three minutes. He refused to leave the field, delaying the game for nearly eight minutes.England eventually won the thrilling contest.After the match, England manager Alf Ramsey described Argentina as “animals” and ordered his players not to change shirts.The game also played a role in the later introduction of yellow and red cards, which emphasized the need for better control of such heated matches.1986: Argentina 2-1 England (Mexico City, Mexico – quarter final)Set four years after the Falklands War, it remains a defining chapter of the rivalry. Diego Maradona scored the infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal by slotting the ball past Peter Shilton and four minutes later produced the ‘Goal of the Century’ by soloing through the England defence. Argentina went up to the World Cup.1998: Argentina 2-2 England (Argentina won 4-3 on penalties) (Saint-Étienne, France – Round of 16)The match is remembered by David Beckham’s red card after kicking Diego Simeone.Gabriel Batistuta and Alan Shearer exchanged penalties before Michael Owen scored one of England’s best World Cup goals after a solo drive.Argentina equalized before half-time through Javier Zanetti.England kept pushing Argentina after Beckham’s red card and even thought Sol Campbell had scored the winner before the goal was disallowed.Argentina eventually advanced after winning a penalty shootout.2002: Argentina 0-1 England (Sapporo, Japan – Group Stage)Four years later, Beckham got a chance at redemption.England won after Beckham converted a penalty awarded after Mauricio Pochettino’s foul on Michael Owen.England later defeated Denmark before losing to Brazil in the quarter-finals. Messi gets the England date football has been waiting for Lionel Messi has achieved almost everything in football. He has won a World Cup, two Copa America titles, multiple Champions League titles and just about every individual honor the sport has to offer. Yet he never faced England in his career.That will change on Thursday when Argentina face England in the World Cup semi-finals in Atlanta.The Argentine Football Association described it as “the match that destiny owed to Messi”.Many of Argentina’s iconic No. 10s have experienced this rivalry before him. Antonio Rattin has. Diego Maradona did it his way. Ariel Ortega experienced it too.Messi is now coming up, in the twilight of his career.And so, 24 years after England and Argentina last met at the World Cup, one of football’s fiercest rivalries returns.It will be Messi’s first game against England. For Argentina fans, from Buenos Aires to all corners of the world, they will hope that this is not his last in the Argentina shirt.