By Sugira Christian, Journalist internee
Argentina have added another unforgettable chapter to one of football’s most celebrated rivalries, defeating England 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal in a result that strikingly echoes their famous victory over the Three Lions at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
Forty years after Diego Maradona inspired Argentina to one of the sport’s most iconic triumphs, Lionel Messi once again proved decisive against England, guiding the reigning world champions into another World Cup final. While the 39-year-old captain did not find the net, he produced two superb assists as Argentina recovered from a goal down to secure a dramatic comeback and set up a final against Spain.
England appeared destined to reach their first World Cup final since 1966 after Anthony Gordon broke the deadlock in the 55th minute. But Argentina responded when Enzo Fernández levelled the score in the 85th minute before substitute Lautaro Martínez completed the turnaround deep into stoppage time, heading home from another perfectly weighted cross by Messi.
The victory immediately drew comparisons with Argentina’s legendary 1986 quarterfinal win over England. On that occasion, Maradona scored both goals in a 2-1 victory that became one of the defining matches in World Cup history. His infamous “Hand of God” goal was followed just minutes later by the breathtaking solo effort later dubbed the “Goal of the Century,” a performance that propelled Argentina towards their second World Cup title.
Although the circumstances were different in 2026, the parallels are remarkable. Both matches ended 2-1 in Argentina’s favour, both eliminated England from the World Cup, and both were defined by the brilliance of Argentina’s greatest football icon of the era.
Where Maradona settled the contest with two unforgettable goals, Messi orchestrated the comeback with two decisive assists, once again demonstrating his ability to shape football’s biggest occasions.
Argentina vs England: A Tale of Two World Cups
| 1986 World Cup | 2026 World Cup |
| Quarterfinal | Semifinal |
| Argentina 2-1 England | Argentina 2-1 England |
| Hero: Diego Maradona (2 goals) | Hero: Lionel Messi (2 assists) |
| England eliminated | England eliminated |
| Argentina reached the final and won the World Cup | Argentina advance to the final |
The rivalry between Argentina and England has always extended beyond football. Decades of memorable World Cup encounters, combined with the historical backdrop between the two nations, have ensured that every meeting carries extraordinary significance. The 2026 semifinal has now joined the list of classic contests that define this enduring rivalry.
Argentina will face Spain in Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final as they seek to become back-to-back world champions, while England will take on France in the third-place playoff, still searching for an end to their long wait for a second World Cup crown.
