The long-standing football rivalry between England and Argentina will be revived tonight when the two nations meet in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
While the fixture has produced some of the most memorable moments in football history, it will also mark a unique milestone for Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who is set to face England for the first time in his illustrious international career.
Messi made his senior debut for Argentina in August 2005 and has gone on to make more than 200 appearances for his country, winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup, two Copa América titles and numerous individual honours. Despite his remarkable career, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has never played against England.
His first opportunity came in November 2005, when England and Argentina met in an international friendly in Geneva.
However, Messi missed the game after serving a suspension following his dramatic international debut, in which he was sent off less than a minute after coming on as a substitute against Hungary.
England won that friendly 3-2, with two late goals from Michael Owen completing a thrilling comeback.
The upcoming semi-final will be the first meeting between England and Argentina in 21 years and the first at a World Cup since 2002.
Between the 1962 and 2002 World Cups, the two nations met five times, creating one of football’s fiercest rivalries through dramatic matches, controversial incidents and unforgettable moments.
The rivalry extends beyond football. Political tensions between the two countries, particularly following the 1982 Falklands War, have added extra emotion whenever England and Argentina meet on the pitch. Although players today focus on football, the history surrounding the fixture continues to make it one of the sport’s most anticipated contests.
One of the most famous meetings came in the quarter-finals of the 1966 World Cup at Wembley. England claimed a narrow 1-0 victory thanks to a 77th-minute header from Geoff Hurst.
The match was one of the most physical in World Cup history.
According to Opta statistics, the game featured 56 fouls, with England responsible for 36 of them. Argentine captain Antonio Rattín was sent off after repeated fouls and dissent, but he refused to leave the pitch, leading to a lengthy delay while police escorted him away.
The confusion surrounding the incident is widely regarded as one of the reasons football later introduced the yellow and red card system.
Over the decades, the rivalry has produced unforgettable moments, including Argentina’s controversial 1986 quarter-final victory inspired by Diego Maradona’s famous “Hand of God” goal and his stunning solo effort, often described as the “Goal of the Century.”
England later gained revenge by defeating Argentina on penalties in the 1998 World Cup Round of 16 before Argentina won another penalty shootout when the sides met again in 2002.
Now, another chapter is about to be written. England will be aiming to reach their first World Cup final since 1966, while Argentina hope to move one step closer to defending the title they won in Qatar four years ago.
With Messi finally set to experience one of international football’s greatest rivalries, fans around the world can expect another unforgettable encounter between two nations whose meetings have consistently shaped World Cup history.
