Tonight's semi-final in Atlanta is a true classic in the context of the World Cup, although the last meeting was 24 years ago.
For Argentine star Lionel Messi, it will be his first meeting with England. He missed the friendly in 2005 as he was suspended after a red card in his senior international debut a few months earlier.
"I've faced everyone except England and it will be special because it's a great nation, a powerhouse, and it's always fun to play against teams like that, especially in a World Cup semi-final," Messi said after the quarter-final against Switzerland, according to AFP.
Argentina is aiming to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win two World Cups in a row. England has its sights set on a second World Cup title in its history, the first coming in 1966.
Then, 60 years ago, England beat Argentina 1-0 in the quarter-finals in what is known in Argentina as the “steal of the century” after Argentina captain Antonio Rattin was sent off after two yellow cards.
Goal of the century
In the next World Cup meeting, the 1986 quarter-final, Argentina got its revenge. In the memorable match, Diego Maradona first scored with his hand (he described it as doing it partly with his head and partly with the "hand of God") and four minutes later scored what the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has deemed the "goal of the century". Maradona dribbled past half of the English team and put 2–0 past Peter Shilton in the match that ended 2–1. Argentina went on to win the World Cup.
In the 1998 World Cup round of 16, David Beckham was sent off for a foul on Diego Simeone early in the second half. Argentina won the match on penalties and Beckham became England's most hated sportsman.
Beckham got his revenge four years later when he scored the only goal of the match, a penalty, in the group match against Argentina in the 2002 World Cup.
Invasion and Falklands War
Despite the previous eventful World Cup meetings, and the historical background of the British invasion of Argentina in the early 19th century and the 1982 Falklands War between the countries, Argentina's national team captain Lionel Scaloni does not think that this year's World Cup semi-final means anything special.
"It's a football match, that's all I can say," he said after the quarter-final, according to AFP.
The rivalry is also downplayed by England captain Harry Kane.
"I don't think history is something you want to put too much focus on," he told the ITV television channel.
It's England versus Argentina, two of the greatest nations going head to head. Two giants in a World Cup semi-final. The rest is just a small part for us.
The semi-final kicks off tonight at 9:00 PM.
