“Y ya lo ve, y ya lo ve. El que no salta, Es un ingles!”“And now you see, and now you see, everyone who doesn’t jump is English.”It is one of the most popular songs among Argentine football players and players. It follows the team wherever they go, regardless of the opposition. Argentina fans chant from the stands. Players join after winning. It has become part of the Argentine football identity.England should not challenge Argentina’s fans to chant these words. However, when Argentina prepares to meet the Three Lions in FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final on Thursday (IST) in Atlanta, those words will be filled with hatred and emotion.Argentina vs England is a rivalry that runs through generations. It comes from football, history, politics and colonialism, and after more than twenty years of international work, more than 200 appearances and 125 goals, Lionel Messi will play against England for the first time, as Argentina’s defenders attempt to stop Thomas Tuchel’s England from reaching the World Cup finals since 1966.It’s a competition that started in 1962 and has produced controversies, red cards, and other famous goals.Political conflicts and military conflicts, especially those surrounding the Falklands War in 1982, continue to strain the relationship between the two soccer-loving nations. Argentinian players and supporters still refer to the controversies of football songs.After Argentina defeated Switzerland in the quarter-finals, the celebrations continued inside the dressing room. Videos shared by the Argentina Football Association showed the team singing together. One song paid tribute to Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi while also referring to the Falkland Islands.“Por Malvinas, por el Diego, por la ultima de Leo.”“For Malvinas, for Diego, for Leo the last (competition).”Las Malvinas is the name used in Argentina for the Falkland Islands, a British territory about 300 miles (480 km) off the east coast of Argentina.The two countries fought over the islands in 1982. The war lasted 74 days and ended when Argentina surrendered. 649 Argentine soldiers, 255 British soldiers and three Falkland Islanders were killed, while more than 2,300 others were injured.Even today, the Falklands remain a symbol of Argentina.A look at the world’s fiercest football competitionIt is a rivalry made up of years of bitterness, where football and history collide.The first meeting in the World Cup came in 1962, but the competition really grew four years later.1962: England 3-1 Argentina (Rancagua, Chile – Group Stage)Compared to what followed, the game was quiet.Goals from Ron Flowers, Bobby Charlton and Jimmy Greaves gave England a 3-0 lead before Argentina grabbed a late consolation.Both teams finished the group stage with one win, one draw and one loss, but England went ahead on goal difference.England were later knocked out by Brazil in the quarter-finals.1966: England 1-0 Argentina (Wembley, England – Quarter-final)This is still the World Cup that England won.The quarter-final is still remembered in Argentina as a game believed to have been stolen, with Geoff Hurst’s winning goal allegedly offside.That wasn’t the only controversy in the game.Argentina’s captain, Antonio Rattin, was sent off in the 33rd minute after two fouls in three minutes. He refused to leave the field, delaying the game for about eight minutes.England eventually won a tough match.After the match, England manager Alf Ramsey described Argentina as “animals” and advised his players not to change shirts.The game also worked to reintroduce yellow and red cards, showing the importance of proper regulation in such heated contests.1986: Argentina 2-1 England (Mexico City, Mexico – Quarter-final)Played four years after the Falklands War, this remains the defining theme of the tournament. Diego Maradona scored the famous “Hand of God” goal by flicking the ball past Peter Shilton, before unleashing the “Goal of the Century” just four minutes later when he ran through the England defense himself. Argentina went on to lift the World Cup.1998: Argentina 2-2 England (Argentina won 4-3 on penalties) (Saint-Étienne, France – Round of 16)The game is remembered for David Beckham’s red card for a tackle on Diego Simeone.Gabriel Batistuta and Alan Shearer exchanged penalties before Michael Owen scored one of England’s best World Cup goals after a solo run.Argentina equalized before half-time through Javier Zanetti.England kept pushing Argentina after Beckham’s red card and thought Sol Campbell had scored the winner before the end of the game.Argentina eventually won after winning penalties.2002: Argentina 0-1 England (Sapporo, Japan – Group Stage)Four years later, Beckham got a chance at redemption.England won after Beckham converted a penalty awarded following Mauricio Pochettino’s foul on Michael Owen.England later defeated Denmark before losing to Brazil in the quarter-finals. Messi will get the day English football has been waiting for Lionel Messi has achieved almost everything in football. He has won the World Cup, two Copa America titles, several Champions League titles and almost everyone respects what he is given. However he never faced England in his career.That changes on Thursday when Argentina face England in the World Cup semi-final in Atlanta.The Argentine Football Association said this was “appropriate for Messi.”Most of the 10 most famous Argentines have faced this conflict before him. Antonio Ratta said. Diego Maradona made it himself. Ariel Ortega also experienced it.Messi is now getting his time, at the end of his career.And so, 24 years after England and Argentina last met at the World Cup, one of football’s fiercest rivalries is back.For Messi, this will be his first game against England. For Argentina fans, from Buenos Aires to all corners of the world, they hope they are not the last to wear the Argentina shirt.
