TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Argentina's national team coach, Lionel Scaloni, emphasized that his country's crucial match with England in the 2026 World Cup semifinals is simply a football match. He dismissed the notion that the classic matchup is fraught with tensions over non-technical rivalries or past political conflicts.
Scaloni prefers to focus on the sporting aspect and the fight for a place in the final, rather than dwelling on the drama of the two countries' long histories off the pitch.
"This is a football match. We're going to play a football match against a great national team with a great coach whom I greatly respect and admire," Scaloni stated firmly, as quoted by The Guardian, Monday (July 13).
Argentina is scheduled to face England in the semifinals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, USA, on Thursday (July 16) at 2:00 a.m. Western Indonesian Time. The Albiceleste advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Switzerland 3-1 in extra time, while the Three Lions advanced after defeating Norway 2-1.
The Long History and Issue of the Falklands
The meetings between these two giants always attract global attention due to their rich history at the World Cup. England defeated Argentina in the quarterfinals of the 1966 edition. Argentina then avenged their defeat in the 1986 quarterfinals with a legendary match highlighted by the "Hand of God" goal and Diego Maradona's magical solo run.
The rivalry continued in the round of 16 of the 1998 World Cup, which Argentina won on penalties, before England finally gained revenge 1-0 in the group stage of the 2002 World Cup thanks to a David Beckham penalty.
Beyond football, tensions between the two countries often flared up over the military conflict over the Falkland Islands, or Falklands, that occurred in 1982. This sensitive issue even resurfaced throughout the tournament after several Argentine supporters and players were caught chanting insults against the Falklands, Maradona, and Lionel Messi.
Despite the tense atmosphere off the pitch, Argentina striker Jose Manuel Lopez assured that La Albiceleste would be fully professional in order to secure a sporting victory.
"Obviously, beyond the four lines of the pitch, this is a match with a lot of history, a lot of pain, and a lot of things behind it," he said.
"But we are professionals. We will play it like we play every game, right up until the last second, as we showed tonight, giving everything," Lopez added.
Argentina arrived at the 2026 World Cup as defending champions and advanced to the semifinals in a series of matches rife with controversy.
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