The gear carries enormous historical significance. Their World Cup rivalry began in 1962 but really intensified four years later when England defeated Argentina 1-0 in a fiery quarter-final to win their only World Cup title. The match was remembered for the controversial sending off of Argentine captain Antonio Rattin.
Perhaps the defining chapter of the rivalry came in 1986, when Diego Maradona inspired Argentina to a quarter-final victory with two unforgettable goals. His infamous ‘Hand of God’ remains one of football’s most debated moments, while his breathtaking solo effort is widely regarded as one of the greatest goals ever scored at a World Cup. The teams met in 1998 when David Beckham’s red card proved costly in England’s penalty shootout defeat, before Beckham found redemption by converting the winning penalty in England’s 1-0 group stage win four years later.
England manager Thomas Tuchel sought to keep his team focused on the present despite the game’s rich history, while Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni paid tribute to Maradona’s remarkable goal, describing it as a moment cherished by football fans around the world.
Both teams overcame challenging knockout campaigns to reach the semi-finals. Argentina survived difficult games against Cape Verde and Egypt before defeating Switzerland after extra time, while England fought back against Congo and Norway and then overcame co-hosts Mexico despite playing most of the match with 10 men.
The competition also features two generations of attacking brilliance. Lionel Messi continues to lead Argentina with eight goals and key assists, while Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have spearheaded England’s challenge, with Bellingham entering the semi-finals having scored two goals in each of their previous two games.