Bangla | Epaper

BANGLA EPAPER 📍 Dhaka 📅 Sunday | 12 July 2026, 17 Poush 1376

HEADLINE

● 4.5-magnitude earthquake strikes Bay of Bengal off Andhra coast ● Heavy rain alert for six divisions as floods ● Water on railway track, stranded train released after five days ● Elevated expressway waterlogged, police urged citizens to avoid travel ● BNP to observe one-day nationwide mourning on Monday ● Disaster in Dhaka skies: Flight bound for Sylhet-Kolkata, over 50 delayed ● Primary scholarship results published; check in two ways

Argentina vs England: 1986 rivals meet in 2026 semifinal

Published : Sunday, 12 July, 2026 at 1:06 PM

Observer Online Desk

The football world is ready to witness another historic clash. Arch-rivals, Argentina and England are facing off each other after long four decades in a World Cup semifinal.

Previously, England secured their semi spot by defeating Norway in the quarterfinals. On the other hand, defending world champions, Argentina reached semi by beating Switzerland 3-1. Football lovers are eagerly anticipating for a fresh chapter since that historic clash of 1986.

The Argentina-England rivalry in World Cup history is not just a battle between two football teams. It involves political tension, memories of the Falklands War, and decades of emotion.

June 22, 1986. Argentina and England faced off each other before 114,000 spectators at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico. In the second half of the match, Argentine legend Diego Maradona leaped with opposing goalkeeper Peter Shilton for a ball floating from Steve Hodge's miscleared pass.

As Maradona was short, he put the ball into the net with his left hand. Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser allowed the goal, ignoring strong protests from England.

"A little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God,"Maradona quoted after the match. It earned a permanent place in history. From there, football's most talked-about phrase, the 'Hand of God', was born.

Just four years earlier, in 1982, the Falklands War took place between Argentina and the United Kingdom. Therefore, to the Argentines, that goal was not just a goal, but also a symbol of revenge.

A few minutes later, Maradona took the ball from the midfield and dribbled past one English player after another to score. This was later recognized as the 'Goal of the Century'. On the other hand, former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton has not yet forgotten the 'Hand of God' controversy.

In this World Cup, Argentina has remained undefeated till now. The highly anticipated semifinal will take place on July 15 at 1:00am Bangladesh time at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Georgia, USA.

Excitation is sky-high surrounding the clash of the two teams that wrote history four decades ago.

-SA

Also read

Swiss coach furious after controversial red card against Argentina

What happened to Argentina's Afro-descendent population?

World Cup 2026: Semifinal fixture and Bangladesh time

South Africa’s Jayden Adams dies after playing in FIFA World Cup

Argentina beat Switzerland to reach semifinals

Argentina, Switzerland level 1-1 after 90 minutes in WC quarterfinal

Swiss forward sent off for simulation after equaliser

Why is Argentina wearing the Carlo armband on the field?

Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury

Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], ‍[email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296

🔝