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ARGENTINA heads into their FIFA World Cup semi-final against England carrying an unwanted record that has endured for more than three decades against former world champions.
The defending champions have not defeated a previous World Cup winner in normal or extra time since overcoming Brazil 1-0 in the Round of 16 at the 1990 World Cup.
That victory came through Claudio Caniggia's famous goal, created by Diego Maradona, before Argentina went on to eliminate Italy on penalties in the semi-finals and eventually lost 1-0 to West Germany in the final.
The statistic is expected to provide England with added confidence ahead of Thursday's heavyweight encounter in Atlanta.
Lionel Messi and his teammates will face the Three Lions in what is widely regarded as one of the biggest matches of the tournament.
The match will also mark Messi's first senior international meeting against England as he bids to lead Argentina to a second consecutive World Cup title.
Since their victory over Brazil in 1990, Argentina have repeatedly fallen short against former champions during regulation or extra time.
They were eliminated by Germany in three successive World Cups, losing on penalties in the 2006 quarter-finals, suffering a 4-0 defeat in the 2010 quarter-finals and narrowly losing 1-0 after extra time in the 2014 final.
Argentina also lost 4-3 to France in the Round of 16 at the 2018 World Cup before gaining revenge in the 2022 final, although that triumph came only after a penalty shoot-out following a dramatic draw.
Against England, who lifted the World Cup in 1966, Argentina won on penalties in the 1998 Round of 16 after the match ended level, but suffered a 1-0 defeat in the group stage of the 2002 tournament.
Overall, Argentina have played 10 World Cup matches against former champions since 1990.
Only one of those matches ended in victory during normal playing time, while four wins came via penalty shoot-outs and five ended in defeat.
England will hope that historical trend continues as they pursue a place in the World Cup final, although the statistics also underline one important caveat: if the match goes to penalties, Argentina have consistently found a way to prevail against football's traditional heavyweights. - July 14, 2026
