Increased police presence in Atlanta due to sporting and political England-Argentina history

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FT Desk

There's certainly no love lost on and off the pitch between England and Argentina and the rivalry stems from a tense political history as well as sporting history.

Over the years, despite coming from separate continents, the two nations have become fierce opponents on the international stage.

The rivalry is one of the biggest in international football because it's about much more than just the sport. Over the years, the matches have been filled with drama and controversy, while the 1982 Falklands War also added extra emotion whenever the two countries met.

The rivalry really began at the 1966 World Cup when England beat Argentina 1–0 in the quarter-finals. The match was controversial after Argentina captain Antonio Rattin was sent off, with many Argentines believing the decision was unfair.

However, the most famous meeting came at the 1986 World Cup. Argentina won 2–1 thanks to the legendary Diego Maradona, who scored both the controversial 'Hand of God' goal and the brilliant solo effort that is often called the 'Goal of the Century.'

The teams met again in 1998, where England were knocked out on penalties after David Beckham was sent off for kicking Diego Simeone, lightly, on the back of the leg. Beckham received heavy criticism back home, but he got his revenge four years later by scoring the winning penalty as England beat Argentina 1–0 at the 2002 World Cup.

On the political stage, the Falklands War was fought between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1982 over who owned the Falkland Islands (called the Islas Malvinas in Argentina).

The war began when Argentina invaded the islands, believing they rightfully belonged to them. Britain responded by sending troops and ships to take the islands back. After about ten weeks of fighting, Britain regained control and Argentina surrendered.

Nearly 900 people died during the war, and although the fighting ended decades ago, both countries still claim the islands, which is why the conflict remains an important part of their shared history.

Due to the expected tension between the two sets of supporters, there will be increased security as England and Argentina face each other in the World Cup semi-final in Atalanta on Tuesday.

In a statement, Atlanta Police said: "As Atlanta prepares to host an upcoming Fifa World Cup semi-final match and welcomes increased numbers of residents and visitors, the Atlanta Police Department has enhanced its citywide public safety and security posture.

"Additional personnel and resources are already deployed and will continue to be strategically assigned in and around the event venues, entertainment districts, and other high-traffic areas to help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

"These proactive measures are designed to protect the public, deter criminal activity, and ensure residents and visitors can safely enjoy this historic event."

Both England and Argentina progressed to the semi-final after dramatic extra-time victories over Norway and Switzerland, respectively.

Even though there are concerns over potential violence between England and Argentina fans this week, the Three Lions fans have been praised for their conduct in North America over the past month.