Just moments after Argentina clinched a thrilling victory over Switzerland in extra time on Saturday, head coach Lionel Scaloni faced questions about the upcoming semi-final. This match against England is set to stir deep emotions among fans and players alike.
A reporter inquired in Spanish, “This won’t just be a special game from a footballing standpoint,”
Scaloni interrupted the reporter, asserting, “but also in an emotional sense. How do you imagine you and the players will come out for this game and what message would you give to all of us Argentines that are …”
Forty years prior, before facing England in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup, Diego Armando Maradona encountered similar media scrutiny. Reporters then framed the game as a representation of the Falklands War, a conflict that had occurred just four years earlier, resulting in the deaths of 649 Argentine soldiers, 255 British soldiers, and three islanders. The Falkland Islands, known as the Malvinas in Argentina, were taken back by Britain after a brief occupation, leaving a lasting emotional scar on the nation.
“This is a football match, OK?” Maradona stated, echoing sentiments Scaloni would later express. He consistently reiterated this perspective until the teams emerged from the tunnel at Estadio Azteca the following day.
“The message is that this is a football match. Let’s not look for anything else. This is a football match.” recalled Argentina defender José Luis Brown before his passing in 2019. “This is just a match, OK?”
Wednesday’s semi-final between England and Argentina transcends mere competition. For the English, the match has evolved beyond the context of the Falklands War, while for Argentinians, the memory of the conflict remains potent, passed down through oral traditions and amplified by social media. Maradona’s legacy continues to loom large, even after his passing in 2020. Unlike English fans who do not display flags of Bobby Charlton or Bobby Moore, Argentine supporters honor Maradona’s memory.
Throughout this World Cup, Maradona’s presence has been palpable, reminiscent of the 2022 Qatar tournament. Argentine fans have proudly displayed his image in stadiums across the United States, often alongside Lionel Messi, who is viewed as his successor. Social media has further immortalized Maradona, with viral posts depicting Messi visiting him in heaven, walking alongside Jesus Christ—a level of adoration seemingly reserved for El Pibe de Oro.
Maradona’s sentiments regarding England are kept alive by a new generation of Argentine fans. Iconic images and quotes have circulated widely, including the memorable photo of Maradona celebrating his second goal in 1986, with irate English supporters in the background.
He famously remarked that he played that match not only with his boots but also with a rifle, seeking retribution. More recent statements have included allegations that England unjustly claimed victory against Colombia in the 2018 World Cup and during the 1966 World Cup.
Argentina’s current squad, however, does not require any additional motivation. Following their exhilarating win over Egypt in the Round of 16, the players celebrated in their locker room, chanting the lyrics to La Cuarta Estrella (The Fourth Star).
“I’m Argentine from the cradle to the grave,
For Malvinas, for Diego, for the last [championship] of Leo,
Argentina, I want to see you as “Diego was walking in line with us,”.”
This anthem, embraced by Argentina’s players and fans, was released in March—long before they knew they would face England. The anti-English sentiment among Argentine fans is palpable, irrespective of their physical presence at the game.
All of these factors—the enduring shadow of Maradona and the historical animosity towards England—are likely to inspire an Argentina team that has already played 240 minutes of football in less than a week.
Despite being led by an aging squad that has faced near elimination twice by lesser opponents, this team has yet to fully showcase its potential at the World Cup. Their progression has often seemed chaotic.
Notably, Messi has yet to compete against England, having missed his only opportunity in 2005 due to a red card suspension, which would have marked his fifth cap. After the team’s victory over Switzerland, Messi made his way past reporters toward the team bus, pausing briefly to respond to a few questions. He was quickly asked about England.
“and he started raving. He says: ‘Let’s go, yeah? These motherfuckers killed our neighbours, they killed our relatives.’ I understood, obviously … After the anthems, nobody said anything. We hadn’t said anything about that before the game but we’d all been thinking about it. We just went out there and ran.” he remarked. “It’s a special match because it’ll be my first time facing England,”
While this response may reflect Messi’s typical media-savvy demeanor, it was evident that the stakes were higher for him, especially given the possibility of this being his final significant match in an Argentina jersey.
Like Scaloni—and Maradona before him—Messi wasn’t deceiving anyone.
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