​Argentina Must Channel Maradona Spirit to Beat England, says Mac Allister

Alexis Mac Allister (Argentine footballer)

Alexis Mac Allister has urged his Argentina team-mates to play with the spirit of Diego Maradona when they face England in their World Cup semi-final on Wednesday.

The big match in Atlanta brings back a famous football rivalry that was at its height during the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

In that legendary quarter-final, the late Maradona scored both goals for Argentina. The first was the well-known "Hand of God" goal, and the second was a brilliant solo run that is still seen as one of the greatest World Cup goals ever.

Argentina went on to win the tournament that year. They did the same in 2022, inspired by Lionel Messi, with Mac Allister also playing in the winning team.

“I don’t know if it’s just by chance or what but in the last few days I have started seeing videos of Diego, of the ’86 game and other things that obviously help and make you want to watch them and remember them,” Liverpool’s Mac Allister told reporters on Tuesday.

“Diego represents so much for the country and I hope we can do something similar to what they did in 1986,” added the midfielder, whose father Carlos played alongside Maradona for Argentina and at Boca Juniors.

The 27-year-old admitted Maradona’s skills set him apart.

“He was able to perform things he carried inside him and it is practically impossible to do those things…. Maybe only Leo (Messi) could do that.”

Wednesday’s match will be the first time the two countries have met at a World Cup since 2002. Argentina are hoping to reach a second consecutive final, which would be their third in the last four tournaments.

Mac Allister said that England have not yet played with Premier League intensity at this 2026 tournament.

“I don’t know if it’s to do with the heat, the climate or something else,” he said. “But obviously they are a great team who we greatly respect.

“I imagine tomorrow’s game will be played with a lot of intensity and obviously plenty of jitters on both sides.”