England and Argentina will meet in a competitive match for the first time in 24 years as they prepare to renew their rivalry in Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final in Atlanta
Diego Maradona Jr. has insisted that Wednesday’s semi-final between Argentina and England is not a normal game – contradicting the view of La Albiceleste manager Lionel Scaloni. The Three Lions will meet their South American opponents for the first time since 2005, with a place in the World Cup final at stake.
The two rivals have not met in a competitive fixture since the 2002 World Cup – when England won 1-0 through a David Beckham penalty in the group stages. Both countries have endured a tense relationship since the 1982 Falklands War, when they fought over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and the South Sandwich Islands.
The war resulted in a total of 649 Argentine lives lost and 255 British fatalities. That saw a tense buildup before both countries played four years later in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals.
The match in Mexico City was made famous for Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ when the Argentine superstar handled the ball into the net to help his team run out as 2-1 winners. The incident sparked anger in England as a Maradona-inspired Argentina went on to lift the trophy.
And Argentina boss Scaloni has looked to calm down the tension before Wednesday’s blockbuster last four clash – insisting that his team won’t view the game any differently to their other fixtures. That view is not shared by Maradona’s son, though.
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Speaking via Tycsports, he said: “My dad wouldn’t see it as a normal match, just another game. For all Argentinians and Maradona fans, it will be a different kind of event, one that brings to mind everything that happened in the Falklands War and all our brothers who died there, and then, what happened to my dad in ’86.”
Maradona Jr, who currently manages Italian lower-league side Portici, was also clear about the historical weight Wednesday’s match carries for any Argentinian. He added: “My dad won a historic match, and since then, nothing is normal against England.
“It’s never going to be a normal game, and this one in particular is going to be tough for our national team. It’s true that England is playing well, but we have to face and beat the world champions. It’s going to be tough… for both of us.”
England have endured a testing route to the semi-finals after comfortably finishing top of Group L. Thomas Tuchel’s team came from behind to beat DR Congo in the last 32, battled to a thrilling 3-2 win over co-hosts Mexico, and then edged past Norway in extra time in the last eight.
Argentina, meanwhile, also topped their group before scares against Cape Verde and Egypt, and a win in extra time over Switzerland.
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