England vs Argentina: Is this the most toxic rivalry on Earth?
7/14/202647 min
Maradonna's 'Hand of God'. The Falklands war. The Beckham hissy fit. The religion of Messi. The backdrop to tomorrow's World Cup semi-final is steeped in intensity and passion - so much so that the FBI has judged it to be the highest risk match of the tournament. Just how much is riding on tomorrow’s game - and how do the geopolitics of our two nations affect what happens on the pitch? We speak to Gary Lineker who was playing for England against Maradonna in that game, Peter Frankopan - just back from the Falklands - who takes us through the historic rivalries of our countries, and Andy Mitten - on the veterans of both war and football.
And we cross to Buenos Aires to find out how Argentinian fans are gearing up for the game.
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Transcript preview
First 90 secondsSpeaker 1· Soundbite0:00
[upbeat music] This is a global production But we've got Jude Bellingham, we've got Harry Kane.
Speaker 20:07
We've, we're very strong, um, in, in many positions.
Jon Sopel· Host0:11
The match between England and Argentina tomorrow night has so much importance attached to it.
Emily Maitlis· Host0:19
The Atlanta Police, where the game, uh, will take place tomorrow night, have already put out a statement saying, "We welcome increased numbers of residents, but we have enhanced citywide public safety and security."
Jon Sopel· Host0:31
The FBI have raised the security level to the highest degree.
Speaker 50:35
In this World Cup, the Argentina players have been singing about winning the World Cup for the Malvinas.
Speaker 20:41
We didn't invade them in the same way that we invaded most parts of Africa and, and in Asia too. I mean, we call it the Falklands after, uh, an English posho. The Argentinians call it Malvinas.
Speaker 50:52
Well, that's what they call it. That's what I said. That's what they call it in Argentina, Las Malvinas, so it's just a factually correct term. It's far more than a game. The, the 90 minutes is only a part of it.
Speaker 1· Soundbite1:01
It would appear the sun has set on yet another corner of the British Empire, this one far down in the South Atlantic. Argentina today invaded and seized the Falkland Islands, which have been under British rule for nearly 150 years. Britain promptly broke diplomatic relations with Argentina, sent several of Her Majesty's warships steaming south, and appealed to the United Nations. It all seems like something out of the 18th century, but the British, and for that matter, the Americans, are not amused.
Emily Maitlis· Host1:29
Well, it wasn't quite