Argentina and England were already heading toward one of the most emotionally charged World Cup semi-finals in recent memory. Now, the tension has risen even further after Argentina’s players were reported to have celebrated their quarter-final win over Switzerland with chants referencing the Falklands, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi’s last World Cup push.
Argentina sang a song about the Falkland Islands to taunt England after beating Switzerland
Argentina and their fans also sang an anti-England song after their 3-1 win over Switzerland
They bounced around and chanted: ‘Anyone who doesn’t jump is an Englishman’
The defending champions booked their place in the last four with a dramatic 3-1 extra-time victory over Switzerland. England had already survived their own quarter-final test, beating Norway 2-1 after extra time. That set up a meeting loaded with history, football rivalry and political symbolism – and Argentina wasted no time adding another layer of hostility.
Footage from the Argentina dressing room appeared to show players dancing and singing a version of a popular national-team chant that references the Malvinas, Argentina’s name for the Falkland Islands. The song also nods to Maradona and Messi, framing the current campaign as a final mission for Argentina’s No 10 and a chance to chase another star on the shirt.
For England supporters, the timing could hardly be more provocative. Any meeting between these two countries already carries decades of baggage, from the 1986 World Cup and Maradona’s infamous handball to David Beckham’s red card in 1998 and England’s revenge in 2002. The Falklands reference only sharpens the mood before Wednesday’s semi-final in Atlanta.
Argentina players celebrated their win over Egypt by singing a popular fan chant which references the Falkland Islands
Another chant from Argentina fans claimed England are ‘scared’ of their national team and that they would make them run before knocking them out in the World Cup semi-finals
The rivalry has been mostly dormant on the pitch for years. England and Argentina last met in 2005, while their most recent competitive clash came at the 2002 World Cup, when England won 1-0 in the group stage. Messi, despite more than 200 caps for Argentina, has never played against England at senior international level. That alone makes this semi-final feel historic.
There is also a powerful football storyline. Messi is 39 and attempting to drag Argentina to another World Cup final. England, meanwhile, are being led by Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, two players who have repeatedly delivered decisive moments in a chaotic tournament. Both teams have reached the semi-finals without always looking fluent, but both have shown the ability to survive pressure and punish opponents late.
Argentina’s route has been particularly dramatic. They needed extra time against Cape Verde and Switzerland, and they also escaped Egypt in a wild knockout tie that triggered accusations and frustration from their opponents. Against Switzerland, Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez eventually settled the match after Breel Embolo’s controversial red card changed the momentum of the quarter-final.
England have their own baggage heading into the tie. Thomas Tuchel called his team lucky after the Norway win, while Bellingham defended England’s ability to win ugly in difficult conditions. That internal debate may soon be drowned out by the noise surrounding Argentina, Messi and a rivalry that has suddenly become the emotional centre of the World Cup.
The chants will not decide the semi-final, but they have changed the temperature around it. Argentina will see them as passion, identity and tradition. England fans may see them as disrespect and provocation. Either way, the message is clear: this is not just another semi-final.
Argentina vs England already had history. Now it has fresh fire. And when Messi walks out against the Three Lions for the first time in his long international career, the whole football world will be watching.
