England and Argentina will reignite one of football’s greatest rivalries when they clash in the semi-finals of the FIFA 2026 World Cup on Wednesday, with memories of Diego Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal adding another layer of intrigue to the blockbuster encounter in Atlanta.

Forty years after their unforgettable quarter-final showdown at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, the two football giants meet again with a place in Sunday’s final on the line. The winners will face either France or Spain in the title decider.

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The rivalry between England and Argentina remains one of the fiercest in international football, shaped by decades of dramatic World Cup encounters.

Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ still defines rivalry

No meeting between the two nations is more iconic than the 1986 World Cup quarter-final at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium.

On that unforgettable afternoon, Maradona produced two of football’s most famous moments within four minutes. He first punched the ball past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton for the controversial “Hand of God” opener before weaving through half the England team to score the breathtaking strike later voted FIFA’s “Goal of the Century.”

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Argentina went on to win 2-1 before lifting the World Cup, with Maradona inspiring La Albiceleste to global glory.

Four decades later, another chapter is set to be written.

England seek revenge and first final since 1966

England…