The pairing of England versus Argentina in the second semifinal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday has again exhumed memories of one of the bitter-sweet rivalries of the modern football. It is a rivalry that precedes the birth of all the gladiators that will be in action at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Wednesday.
For Lionel Messi who will be leading the Albiceleste in their quest to return to the final and defend the cup they won in Doha, Qatar four years ago, it is a mission that must be accomplished, perhaps, before calling time on his illustrious international career. It will not be an easy task, most especially, against a country in quest of the trophy coming back home after 60 years they last touched it.
Older generations of Argentines and English men and women will be looking beyond the pitch for what the Three Lions and the Albiceleste will be doing, chasing the ball. Memories of the Falklands War of 1982 will be evoked once more. Although the tension that existed in the immediate post war era may have given way, national ego remains strong when both countries play each other at the global level. Remember the song Muchachos thatArgentina players sang after their defeat of Egypt? It is Argentina’s referencing the Malvinas- a term for the South Atlantic islands at the heart of their bitter war with England.
