Fans split as England and Argentina renew iconic rivalry
KUALA LUMPUR: It could not have got any better in the FIFA World Cup 2026 – a semi-final pitting defending champion Argentina against former champion England.
Both teams have met three times in recent World Cup history – with Argentina winning controversially in 1986 and 1998, and England edging the South Americans 1-0 in the 2002 tournament.
Fans here are looking forward to the clash which kicks off in Atlanta, United States, at 3am tomorrow (Malaysian time).
The other semi-final pitted France against Spain early this morning.
Armed with statistics of the famous duels, “armchair pundits” are conducting a tactical analysis of the game and debating the line-up of both teams.
For 23-year-old Muhammad Hannan Izuddin Mohamed Jimmy, his support for the Three Lions is rooted in childhood memories.
“My parents worked in Yorkshire when I was five years old. That’s where my connection with England began, and I have supported them ever since,” he said.
Hannan, who works at a coffee joint in Ampang, listed the reasons he believes his team will overcome Argentina.
“England has world-class players in Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Elliott Anderson, Declan Rice and Anthony Gordon.
“They play positive football and fight until the final whistle. It has been 60 years since England won the World Cup in 1966 and I think this could finally be England’s year.
“Whenever England meets Argentina at the World Cup, it never feels like an ordinary match because of the history between them,” he added.
Another England fan, Muhammad Harith Izzuddin Zaini, 22, said his mental preparation for the semi-final even involved revisiting football history.
“I wasn’t born when England played Argentina in 1986 or 1998, so I searched for old matches on YouTube to understand why this rivalry is so famous,” he said.
Harith now knows the statistics almost by heart.
“England will want to avenge the ‘Hand of God’ defeat in 1986 and the penalty shootout loss in 1998. That’s what makes this match so special,” he said.
Argentine captain Diego Maradona scored with his hand in the 1986 match to give his team a 2-1 victory which is a still much talked about result today.
Haqeem Zakiuddin, 22, described the semi-final as one worthy of a final.
“I actually hoped England and Argentina would meet in the final because both teams deserve to be there. Unfortunately, one of them has to go home earlier,” he said.
He believes England’s balanced squad, disciplined defence and determination to end a six-decade wait for another World Cup title could prove decisive.
Argentina supporters are equally confident. Muhammad Danial Saidi, 28, believes the reigning world champion has the experience needed to navigate another high-pressure knockout match.
“Argentina has won the World Cup three times and many of the players know what it takes to handle the pressure on the biggest stage. That experience is a huge advantage,” he said.
For Azhan Rafik, 29, supporting Argentina has become part of his identity.
“My friends call me ‘Lionel Labu’. That nickname alone tells you how fanatical I am about Lionel Messi,” he laughed.
Azhan believes Argentina’s greatest strengths lie in their champion mentality, experience and team spirit.
“They always fight for one another. That’s why I believe Argentina has what it takes to reach another World Cup final,” he said.
