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The FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals stage is here and today, there is a big match coming up. This Argentina vs England clash will decide the second team to move into the final after Spain beat France to book the first of the two spots. Facing each other will be the two respective skippers, Lionel Messi and Harry Kane. That's right, just one more match to go and we will know who the two teams in FIFA World Cup 2026 finals will be. And while Lionel Messi would be facing England for the first time in the history of the World Cup, the rivalry between Argentina and England is quite legendary. Falklands War apart, the sporting controversy that still defines their bad relationship is the Diego Maradona "Hand of God" goal. The outrageous goal had led to Argentina beating England way back in 1986.
At the FIFA World Cup 2026, both teams have been at their absolute best, and the Argentina vs England clash can be anybody's game. However, one thing we know and that is, it will be a thriller. Let's take a look at the history of the rivalry between Argentina and England over the decades.
A pretty normal match, at least compared to what was going to happen in the future. England won the match pretty easily with a final score of 3-1 in favour of England. No real controversy there, except that in those days, football was very much a rough game and life-altering tackles that are often seen in rugby were common then.
England 1-0 Argentina. A pretty normal-looking scorecard, right? It was anything but. This match kick-started their legendary rivalry on the football field. England won this match, the winning goal being scored by the incomparable Geoff Hurst. However, Argentina's fans still insist that the game was not fair, claiming he was offside. But there was much more to this match than just that. Argentina captain Antonio Rattin was sent off after just 33 minutes. He refused to leave and that actually caused the match to be delayed by almost eight minutes.
Argentina won this match, unlike the previous two encounters, but it set up an unforgettable and enduring rivalry that bordered on hate initially. The Argentina vs England match was played in the wake of the 1982 Falklands war in which England easily defeated the Argentine military. There was talk then that Argentina would not play England at the World Cup. However, saner elements intervened and the match went on. But, it did not stop the most outrageous of controversies in World Cup history breaking out. During the match, Diego Maradona scored a goal with his hand but the referee did not spot it. Maradona actually punched the ball into the net by out-jumping the goal-keeper Peter Shilton. Argentina eventually beat England by a 2:1 scoreline. When asked later, Maradona said it was the "Hand of God". The phrase was splashed on the front page of every newspaper in the world. The phrase went down very well in Argentina especially, but was villified by the English press.
To this day this is one of the most infamous moments in football history. It took Maradona 19 years to apologise, but when he did, it was perhaps too late, and Shilton refused to accept the apology.
A showdown that went to a penalty shootout, with Argentina ultimately winning 4-3 (based on the penalty shootout score). But the game will never be forgotten for David Beckham getting a red card for kicking out at Argentina's Diego Simeone.
Not only did England win the match 1-0, but this game redeemed David Beckham after the red card controversy of 1998. It happened when he scored the only goal of the match for England from the penalty spot and became a hero for England. This was an important win for England, who then went on to win their Last 16 match against Denmark.
When did Diego Maradona score the Hand of God goal?
Diego Maradona scored the Hand of God goal at the FIFA World Cup 1986.
When will the England vs Argentina Semi-Finals be played: Date, time?
The England vs Argentina Semi-Finals will be played on July 15. In India this time will translate to July 16 at 12:30. 30 minutes past midnight.
How many times has Lionel Messi faced England in FIFA World Cup history?
Lionel Messi will be facing England for the first time in his football career during the Argentina vs England 2026 FIFA World Cup Semi-Final match.
Who is the first finalist of the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The first finalist of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is Spain.
Why was Maradona Hand of God goal allowed?
The Diego Maradona Hand of God was allowed as none of the referees spotted the offense.
What did Maradona say about the hand of God goal?
When Maradona was asked about how the goal was scored, he famously said it was the "Hand of God".
Maradona goal of the Century?
Maradona also scored the goal of the century in the match against England at the World Cup 1986 when he dribbled past a number of defenders to score.
Maradona Goal vs England Hand of God?
Maradona illegally scored a goal against England with this hand at the 1986 World Cup.