The decisive moment that still shapes every Argentina-England World Cup encounter occurred on 22 June 1986, when Diego Maradona scored twice in a 2-1 quarter-final victory at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium. The first, punched past Peter Shilton with his left fist, he later called “a little with the hand of God”; the second, a slaloming solo run from inside his own half, was voted FIFA’s Goal of the Century. Argentina went on to lift the trophy, and the twin strikes have become an inescapable reference point for both nations whenever they meet on football’s biggest stage.

Forty years on, as the sides prepare for a semifinal at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Argentine media report that the squad has been watching videos of that 1986 match. Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister told reporters on Tuesday that clips of Maradona had begun circulating among the players in recent days. “Diego is a very important flag for the country and I hope we can do something similar to what they achieved,” he said, while conceding that “only Leo [Messi] can do what he did on the pitch.” The remarks, carried widely by outlets in Buenos Aires and beyond, reflect a deliberate effort by Lionel Scaloni’s squad to channel the emotional weight of history without being paralysed by it.

Mac Allister, who plays his club football for Liverpool, offered a detailed reading of the English threat. He noted that Thomas Tuchel’s side had not yet reproduced the relentless tempo of the Premier League, speculating that heat and climate might be factors. “They are a great team and we respect them a lot,” he said, while insisting Argentina would not alter its tactical identity. Mexican and Asian outlets highlighted his observation that England defend in a 4-4-2 shape and are unlikely to change, a view that frames the contest as a clash of settled systems rather than a tactical surprise.

Argentine players with Premier League experience — Enzo Fernández, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez and Emiliano Martínez — have been central to the narrative in the English-speaking press. Mac Allister acknowledged that familiarity helps but stressed that “playing in England doesn’t change too much; we are super Argentine, we love our country and want to represent it in the best way.” Rodrigo De Paul, another veteran of the 2022 triumph, told reporters the squad was “very receptive to the energy from the people” and described the fixture as “a unique match” that stirs deep motivation. Across the coverage, the historical rivalry is framed as a sporting contest, with players from both camps declining to inflame extra-football tensions.

The winner will advance to the World Cup final, keeping Argentina on course for a fourth title and a second consecutive crown, while England chase their first final appearance since 1966. The match kicks off at 16:00 local time on Wednesday, with the victor facing either France or Spain.