MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina and England to meet in World Cup semifinal loaded with history

Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 in extra time to reach the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup, where they will face England on Wednesday in a rematch of one of the most historically charged fixtures in international football.

The side coached by Lionel Scaloni went ahead after ten minutes, but Switzerland equalized in the 67th and forced extra time. The decisive goals came late in the additional period: Julián Álvarez scored in the 112th minute and Lautaro Martínez sealed the result in the final minute of extra time. Argentina dominated possession and had 23 shots to their opponents' 13, with Switzerland finishing a man down after a second booking.

England reached the semifinals after defeating Norway 2-1, also in extra time, leaving both sides with a similar physical toll ahead of Wednesday's match. The winner will play in the final against the victor of the France-Spain tie, to be played on Tuesday.

After qualifying, the Argentine players celebrated with fans in the stands and sang chants about their next opponents, including one with anti-English content that is common in the country's football folklore. The meeting between the two teams carries a weight beyond sport: the rivalry became linked to the 1982 South Atlantic conflict, and since then every World Cup encounter has been read in symbolic terms in Argentina.

Their World Cup history includes memorable episodes. In the 1986 quarterfinals in Mexico, Argentina won 2-1 with two goals from Diego Maradona, the first scored with his hand and the second after a solo run from the halfway line. In the last 16 at France 1998, the teams drew 2-2 and Argentina advanced on penalties. The most recent meeting at a World Cup came in the group stage of the 2002 tournament, with England winning 1-0.

Wednesday's match will be the first between the two at a World Cup in almost a quarter of a century. Argentina are defending the title won in Qatar in 2022, while England are seeking their first final since 1966, when they were crowned champions on home soil.