“Y ya lo ve, y ya lo ve. El que no salta, Es un ingles!”“And now you see, and now you see, who does not jump English.”It is one of the most common songs of football fans and players in Argentina. It follows the team wherever it goes, regardless of the opposition. Argentina supporters chanted it from the stands. Players join after winnings. It has become part of the identity of Argentine football.England should not be the opposition for Argentina supporters to chant this slogan. However, as Argentina prepares to face the Three Lions in FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final on Thursday (IST) in Atlanta, those words will bring more anger and emotion.Argentina vs England is a rivalry that will last for generations. It is rooted in football, history, politics and colonialism, and after more than two decades of international career, more than 200 appearances and 125 goals, Lionel Messi will play against England for the first time, while defending champion Argentina tries to stop Thomas Tuchel’s England from reaching their first World Cup final since 1966.It’s a rivalry that began in 1962 and has since produced controversy, red cards, and some iconic goals.Political tensions and military conflicts, particularly those surrounding the Falklands War in 1982, continue to influence the relationship between the two football-affected nations. Argentina’s players and supporters still talk about the conflict over football songs.After Argentina defeated Switzerland in the quarter-finals, the celebrations continued inside the dressing room. Videos shared by the Argentina Football Association show the squad singing together. One song pays 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’s last one (tournament).”Las Malvinas is the name Argentina uses for the Falkland Islands, a British territory about 300 miles (480 km) off the east coast of Argentina.The two countries went to war over the islands in 1982. The conflict lasted 74 days and ended with the surrender of Argentina. A total of 649 Argentine military personnel, 255 British military personnel and three Falkland Islanders were killed, while more than 2,300 were injured.Even today, the Falklands remain a symbol of Argentine nationalism.A look at the fiercest rivalries in international footballIt’s a rivalry shaped by decades of bitterness, where football and history often collide.The first meeting of the World Cup took place in 1962, but the rivalry really intensified four years later.1962 England 3-1 Argentina (Rancagua, Chile – Group Stage)Compared to what followed, this game was relatively calm.Goals from Ron Flowers, Bobby Charlton and Jimmy Greaves gave England a 3-0 lead before Argentina scored a late consolation.Both teams finished the group stage with one win, one draw and one loss, but England advanced on goal difference.England were later knocked out by Brazil in the quarter-finals.1966 England 1-0 Argentina (Wembley, England – Quarter-final)It remains England’s only World Cup winner.The quarter-final is still remembered in Argentina as a game they believe they were robbed of, with claims that Geoff Hurst’s winner was offside.That wasn’t the only controversy in the game.Argentina 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 nearly eight minutes.England eventually won a tense contest.After the match, England manager Alf Ramsey described Argentina as “animals” and ordered his players not to exchange shirts.The game also played a role in the late introduction of yellow and red cards, highlighting the need for better control in such heated contests.1986 Argentina 2-1 England (Mexico City, Mexico – Quarter-final)Played four years after the Falklands War, it remains the defining chapter of the rivalry. Diego Maradona scored the famous “Hand of God” goal by punching the ball past Peter Shilton, before scoring the “Goal of the Century” just four minutes later with a solo run through the England defence. Argentina continues 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 after kicking 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 halftime through Javier Zanetti.England were still pushing Argentina after Beckham’s red card and still thought Sol Campbell had scored before the goal was conceded.Argentina finally progressed after winning the penalty shootout.2002 Argentina 0-1 England (Sapporo, Japan – Group Stage)Four years later, Beckham got his chance for redemption.England won after Beckham converted a penalty awarded after Mauricio Pochettino’s foul on Michael Owen.England later defeated Denmark before losing to Brazil in the quarter-finals. Messi gets the England date football has been waiting for Lionel Messi has achieved almost everything in football. He won the World Cup, two Copa America titles, several Champions League titles and almost every individual tribute the game has to offer. However he did not face England in his career.That changed on Thursday when Argentina met England in the World Cup semi-final in Atlanta.The Argentina Football Association described it as “the fate of the game owed to Messi.”Many of the iconic no. The 10s had experienced this rivalry before him. Created by Antonio Rattin. Diego Maradona made it his own. Ariel Ortega also experienced this.Messi has taken his turn, in the twilight of his career.And so, 24 years after England and Argentina last met in a World Cup, one of football’s fiercest rivalries returns.For Messi, this is his first game against England. For Argentina fans, from Buenos Aires to every corner of the world, they will hope that this will not be his last in an Argentina shirt.