The clash between Argentina and England in the 2026 World Cup semifinal will not be just a fight for a ticket to the final match; it brings to the fore one of the most unique rivalries in football history, a rivalry that transcended the boundaries of sport and is linked to a political and military event that left its mark on the memories of both countries.

It is not just a football match; it is a mix of a sporting event with political and military dimensions, a rivalry that went beyond football and beyond the green rectangle to form a memory of conflict between peoples.

Between the Falklands War in 1982 and Maradona's hand in 1986, football returns to ignite the spark ahead of an anticipated clash between Argentina and England in the 2026 World Cup semifinal.

The Falkland Islands, known in Argentina as the Malvinas, remains a thorny issue between the two countries more than four decades after the 1982 crisis, which claimed the lives of 649 Argentine soldiers, along with 255 British soldiers and 3 Falkland Islanders.

Britain claims sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and maintains a military presence there, while Argentina continues to assert its rights through diplomatic channels and international bodies like the United Nations.

Just four years after the war ended, the two teams met in the quarterfinals of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, in a match that became a landmark in the history of the game.

That match witnessed Argentine legend Diego Maradona scoring two goals that remain present in the memory of global football; the first was known as the 'Hand of God' after he touched the ball with his hand before it entered the goal, while the second came after an extraordinary solo run from midfield, later earning the title 'Goal of the Century'.

Between the generations of Maradona and Messi... Will the repercussions of the Falklands crisis continue when facing England? (Reuters)

Maradona said after the match that the first goal came 'a little with the head of Maradona, a little with the hand...', before later clarifying that the victory over England carried symbolic significance for many Argentines in the aftermath of the Malvinas War, which added dimensions to the match that transcended sporting competition.

Since then, encounters between the two teams have been linked to a special historical context, becoming one of the most attention-grabbing matches in World Cup history, not only because of the artistic value but also because of the political and historical legacy present in the memory of fans.

With the renewed meeting between the two teams in the 2026 World Cup semifinal, this legacy returns to the forefront once again, but this time through a new generation of players, with each side seeking to write a new chapter in one of the most thrilling clashes in the history of the game.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed that his team's match against England in the World Cup semifinal on Wednesday does not go beyond the framework of football competition, despite the ongoing debate for decades between the two sides in sporting events and political corridors.

He said: 'It's a football match. Period. Nothing more than that.'

England... The dream of winning the World Cup is strongly present this time (AFP)

Scaloni added: 'Let's not look for anything else. It's a football match. We will play a football match against a great national team led by a great coach whom I appreciate and respect very much.'

This issue has returned to the forefront during the tournament, as Argentine fans and players chanted a chant referring to the islands and to Maradona. Lionel Messi seeks to end his international career by winning the World Cup for the second time.

Argentine player José Manuel López acknowledged the historical significance surrounding this match, but said the players would handle it professionally.

He told reporters: 'It is clear that this match, outside the boundaries of the field, carries a lot of history, a lot of pain, and a lot of events that preceded it. But we are professionals. We will play it the way we play every match, until the last second, and give our all. It's a World Cup semifinal match, and it's a match that I think all my teammates dreamt of playing since we first kicked a ball. We don't need greater motivation than that.'