🤯 Copa do Brasil semis have only champions after 36 years, off-pitch feud | OneFootball

The 2026 FIFA World Cup made history even before the ball started rolling, back on June 11, in the match between Mexico and South Africa.

After all, for the first time in history, the tournament that brings together the best national teams on the planet featured 48 countries (previously, the maximum was 32).

But the competition hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States still had much more in store.

That is because, for only the third time in history, the World Cup will have only world champions among the semifinalists.

In 1970, Brazil (then champion in 1958 and 1962) faced and eliminated Uruguay (champion in 1930 and 1950).

On the other side of the bracket, Italy (champion in 1934 and 1938) sent West Germany (1954) packing. In that World Cup, Brazil would win its historic third title!

Twenty years later, at the 1990 World Cup, Argentina (champion in 1978 and 1986) knocked out host Italy (1934, 1938, and 1982), while West Germany (1954 and 1974) sent England (1966) home. In the final, the Germans beat Maradona & Co.

And now, 36 years later, the World Cup puts four world champions face to face.

Tuesday (14) - 4 p.m. (Brasília time)

Wednesday (15) - 4 p.m. (Brasília time)

🤯 Much more than a rivalry

While the French and Spaniards have a relatively "cordial" relationship, at least in sports, the English and Argentines hate each other.

And no, that is not a figure of speech.

Unlike France and Spain, who have faced each other only once in World Cups (2006 - round of 16 - France 3-1 Spain), this will be the sixth meeting between Argentina and England.

By far, the 1986 World Cup was the most memorable. For both nations.

That is because, four years earlier, in 1982, Argentines and English were involved in a military conflict over possession of the Falkland Islands.

The Falklands War lasted 74 days and was won by the Europeans.

In other words, the quarterfinal match at the World Cup in Mexico meant much more than a place in the semifinals.

So much so that former Argentine player Roberto Perfumo gave the following statement to the English newspaper The Guardian.

"In 1986, winning that match against England was enough. Winning the World Cup was secondary for us. Beating England was our real objective".

Former Argentine player Jorge Valdano gave even more depth to the 1986 World Cup clash.

"When we stepped onto the field, we knew the difficulties. Even so, I asked my teammates to play their best football in that match. That there, we were not taking revenge, but representing the entire Argentine people, and especially the families who in some way suffered losses because of that damned war".

To complete the "scene," Maradona was on the field and produced one of the most spectacular performances the world has ever seen.

In the 2-1 victory, the genius wearing the No. 10 shirt opened the scoring with the famous "La Mano de Dios," when he fooled the referee by touching the ball with his hand while challenging the goalkeeper in the air.

Then, he scored what became known as the "Goal of the Century" by dribbling past almost the entire England team, including the goalkeeper, starting from midfield.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

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