Why is the World Cup match between England and Argentina so fraught?

The World Cup semifinal between England and Argentina in Atlanta has been heightened by the long-running Falklands/Malvinas dispute, with fans carrying memories and political symbolism into the match. Although the game is on Wednesday in Atlanta, supporters’ attention extends 6,100 miles southeast to an island archipelago about 300 miles off Argentina’s coast. The article notes that rivalry has involved references ranging from the ARA General Belgrano and Goose Green to Margaret Thatcher and competing legal arguments over the islands. Security needed to be increased after several fights broke out between opposing supporters in Atlanta. The tension has spilled onto the pitch since at least 1966, while later World Cup clashes included contentious moments and disciplinary action, including FIFA’s yellow-red card system.