Just moments after Argentina’s intense extra-time win against Switzerland in the quarter-finals, head coach Lionel Scaloni faced questions about the upcoming semi-final. The looming match against traditional rivals England is more than just a game for the Argentinians.
A reporter inquired in Spanish, “This won’t just be a special game from a footballing standpoint,”
Scaloni interjected, making his stance clear.
“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 …” he asserted, rather abruptly. “This is a football match, OK?”
Decades earlier, during the build-up to a quarter-final match against England in the 1986 World Cup, Diego Armando Maradona addressed the media outside Argentina’s training ground. Many journalists framed the encounter as a symbolic battle stemming from the Falklands conflict, which had occurred four years prior, resulting in the deaths of numerous soldiers on both sides. The Falkland Islands, known as the Malvinas to Argentinians, had been regained by Britain following a brief occupation, leaving a lasting emotional impact on the country.
Maradona responded to the media’s framing with, “The message is that this is a football match. Let’s not look for anything else. This is a football match.” echoing the same sentiment multiple times, reminiscent of Scaloni’s later remarks.
His determination to downplay the emotional stakes was evident, as his teammates recalled that he maintained this narrative until they emerged from the tunnel at Estadio Azteca.
“This is just a match, OK?” remembered defender José Luis Brown before his passing in 2019. “Diego was walking in line with us,”
Wednesday’s semi-final is certainly more than a mere match. For the English, the historical context of the Falklands war has faded. Yet for Argentinians, the memories remain vivid, passed down through generations. Maradona, who passed away in 2020, continues to symbolize this sentiment. Unlike English fans, who do not wave flags featuring Bobby Charlton or Bobby Moore, Argentinian supporters frequently honor Maradona’s memory.
The presence of Maradona’s image has been pervasive during this World Cup, similar to his visibility in 2022 in Qatar. In venues across the United States, Argentinian fans have showcased his likeness, often alongside Lionel Messi, who is regarded as his successor. Songs invoking Maradona’s legacy have also circulated widely. One viral post humorously depicts Messi visiting Maradona in heaven, walking with Jesus Christ—an idolatrous tribute reserved uniquely for El Pibe de Oro.
Moreover, Maradona’s sentiments toward England remain influential this summer. A new wave of Argentinian fans is engaging with iconic images and quotes on social media, including the memorable moment of Maradona celebrating his famous second goal in 1986, surrounded by disgruntled English fans.
Footage of him asserting that he played that match not just with his boots but with vengeance in mind has also resurfaced, alongside his recent grievances about perceived injustices during the 2018 and 1966 World Cups.
Argentina’s current squad, however, does not require additional motivation. After their thrilling triumph over Egypt in the Round of 16, the players celebrated in their locker room, joyfully singing the anthem 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 “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.”.”
This song, embraced by both players and fans, emerged in March, well before the prospect of facing England was on the horizon. Anti-English sentiment among Argentinian supporters is a constant, irrespective of the match context.
All these elements—the shadow of Maradona, the long-standing anti-English sentiment fueled by years of rivalry—are likely to inspire an Argentina team that has played 240 minutes in less than a week.
This group has not yet showcased its full potential in the tournament, relying on an aging core and narrowly escaping elimination against seemingly weaker opponents. At times, their progress has appeared chaotic.
Messi, in particular, has never faced England, having missed his solitary chance in 2005 due to a red card suspension, which would have marked his fifth international appearance. Following Argentina’s win over Switzerland, Messi hurried past reporters toward the team bus, pausing briefly to respond to a few inquiries. Naturally, the topic of England arose.
“It’s a special match because it’ll be my first time facing England,” he remarked. “I’ve played against almost every major national team, but never them. England are one of football’s great powerhouses, so it’s always exciting to take on a team of that caliber, especially in a World Cup semi-final.”
His response reflected the expected demeanor of one of the most media-savvy players, known for his reserved nature. Yet it was evident that this match carried significant weight for him, potentially being his last meaningful appearance in an Argentina jersey.
Like Scaloni—and Maradona before him—Messi was not deceiving anyone.
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