From Diego to Lionel: Messi faces England 40 years after Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ in World Cup semifinal showdown

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Written in the stars. Forty years after Diego Maradona’s legendary performance against England paved the way to glory in 1986, Lionel Messi will lead Argentina against the Three Lions in a World Cup semi-final that feels less like a football match and more like the passing of an eternal torch.

England and Argentina will renew one of football’s most bitter rivalries on Wednesday at Atlanta’sMercedes-Benz Stadium, with kick-off set for 3 p.m. EDT (8 p.m. BST). The winner will face either France or Spain in the July 19 final at MetLifeStadium.

The stage is set for a generational collision. Argentina reached the final four after a grueling 3-1 extra-time victory over Switzerland in Kansas City on Saturday, with Julián Álvarez scoring a wondergoal in the 112th minute before Lautaro Martínez sealed it in stoppage time. England, meanwhile, battled past Norway 2-1 after extra time in Miami, with Jude Bellingham scoring both goals—including the winner in the third minute of extra time—to send the Three Lions into their fourth semi-final in history.

For Messi, Wednesday carries a unique significance. It will be his 206th match in an Albiceleste shirt—but his first ever against England. The 39-year-old has faced almost every major nation on the planet across his storied career, yet the Three Lions have remained an elusive opponent.

“I’ve played against everyone except England,” Messi told ESPN, reflecting on the upcoming clash. “Obviously, playing against England is special because they are a powerhouse, and matches against powerhouses are always special. Personally, it’s the first time I’m going to play against them, so it will be nice for that reason too”.

The occasion is steeped in World Cup folklore. Exactly 40 years ago, on June 22, 1986, Maradona produced one of the most extraordinary individual performances in football history at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca. He scored two goals that defined a generation: the infamous “Hand of God,” when he punched the ball past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton, and the “Goal of the Century,” a breathtaking 60-metre solo run in which he dribbled past five English outfield players. Argentina won 2-1 and went on to lift the trophy.

That match—and the political backdrop of the Falklands War just four years earlier—cemented Argentina-England as one of international football’s most emotionally charged fixtures.

Messi, who was not yet born when Maradona wrote his legend, acknowledged that those images remain a core part of Argentina’s identity. “Everything I have seen and remember [about Argentina vs. England from 1986] is from videos and images that Argentinians constantly watch and relive,” he said.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, however, attempted to take the political heat out of the occasion. “The message is this is a football game. That’s what I can say,” Scaloni said. “It is a football game and we will be playing against a very tough opponent. They have an excellent coach and this is a football game and that’s all”.

England manager Thomas Tuchel was less sanguine about his side’s performance against Norway, warning that improvement is essential. “We made life very, very difficult for ourselves today,” Tuchel said. “The result is fantastic. The last four is amazing, but not happy with the performance”.

The two nations have met five times before in the World Cup, with England winning in 1962, 1966 and 2002, while Argentina triumphed in 1986 and 1998. Messi’s Argentina enter as defending champions, seeking to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1962. England, meanwhile, chase their first major trophy since their sole World Cup victory in 1966.

A generation saw Maradona make history. Now this generation wants to see the GOAT seal his eternal legacy.

From Diego to Lionel. The dream is alive.

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