Harry Kane’s England will face Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final in Atlanta this Wednesday. This high-stakes match reignites one of football’s most intense rivalries, spanning over six decades.
The history between these two nations is filled with unforgettable World Cup moments. The last time they met in the tournament was in 2002, when David Beckham’s penalty secured an English victory, redeeming his infamous red card against Argentina four years prior in France. That 1998 clash is also remembered for an 18-year-old Michael Owen announcing himself on the global stage with a brilliant breakthrough goal.
However, the most legendary encounter remains the 1986 quarter-final in Mexico, played just four years after the tragic Falklands War. That match saw the late Diego Maradona score the highly controversial “Hand of God” goal, followed just four minutes later by a magnificent solo strike that is still considered one of the greatest in World Cup history.
England fans, however, may look to the 1960s for inspiration. England defeated Argentina in the 1962 group stage and again in the 1966 quarter-final on their way to lifting their only World Cup trophy.
Now, 60 years later, the focus shifts entirely to the present. With Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham leading the charge—each boasting six goals in the tournament—England hopes to end decades of heartbreak. They will have to overcome a formidable Argentine side led by Messi. This semi-final promises to be a thrilling continuation of their historic sporting rivalry.
