Alexis Mac Allister is looking to the past for inspiration as Argentina prepares to face England in Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final in Atlanta, a match that revives one of football’s most storied rivalries.
The fixture carries echoes of 1986, when Diego Maradona single-handedly dismantled England in the quarter-finals with two unforgettable goals, the controversial handball that became known as the Hand of God, followed by a mesmerizing solo run still regarded as one of the greatest goals in World Cup history. Argentina rode that momentum all the way to the title that year, a feat they repeated in 2022 behind Lionel Messi, with Mac Allister part of that winning squad.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the Liverpool midfielder said Maradona had been on his mind lately, almost unexpectedly. He described coming across old clips and footage from the 1986 tournament in recent days, without quite knowing why, and said revisiting those memories stirred something meaningful ahead of this match.
Mac Allister’s connection to that era runs deeper than most. His father Carlos played alongside Maradona both for the national team and at Boca Juniors, giving the midfielder a personal link to Argentina’s most iconic World Cup run. He said Maradona’s importance to the country is hard to overstate, and expressed hope that this current squad could produce something comparable to what that 1986 team achieved.
Asked about what made Maradona so exceptional, Mac Allister did not hesitate. He said Maradona had an ability to produce moments that seemed to come from somewhere internal, something nearly impossible to replicate, adding that perhaps only Messi has ever come close to that same kind of magic.
Wednesday’s match will mark the first World Cup meeting between Argentina and England since 2002, adding historical weight to an already high-stakes encounter. A win would send Argentina to their second consecutive World Cup final, and their third in the last four tournaments, a run of sustained excellence few nations can match.
Looking ahead to the game itself, Mac Allister offered a pointed observation about England’s form so far in the tournament. He suggested the Three Lions had not shown the same intensity that defines their play in the Premier League, though he was careful to note he wasn’t sure whether that was down to the heat, the conditions, or something else entirely. Regardless, he made clear Argentina holds England in high regard as opponents.
He predicted Wednesday’s semi-final would be tense and physical, with nerves running high on both sides as two heavyweight nations collide for a place in Sunday’s final.
