Argentina
Argentina is a federal state in the far south of South America, known for its diverse geography and history.
Argentina, officially the Argentine Republic, is a country in the far south of South America. It covers an area of 2,780,085 km², making it the second-largest country in South America after Brazil, the fourth-largest country in the Americas, and the eighth-largest country in the world. Argentina shares the bulk of the Southern Cone with Chile to the west, and is also bordered by Bolivia and Paraguay to the north, Brazil to the northeast, Uruguay and the South Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Drake Passage to the south. Argentina is a federal state divided into twenty-three provinces, and one autonomous city, which is the federal capital and largest city of the nation, Buenos Aires. The provinces and the capital have their own constitutions, but exist under a federal system. Argentina claims sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, and a part of Antarctica.
- primary_context
- International Football Rivalry
- defining_tournament
- FIFA World Cup
- iconic_1986_match
- Quarter-Final (Mexico)
- key_figure_argentina
- Diego Maradona
- key_figure_england
- Gary Lineker / Peter Shilton
- status
- Active International Rivalry
Lore & Background
The earliest recorded human presence in modern-day Argentina dates back to the Paleolithic period. The Inca Empire expanded to the northwest of the country in pre-Columbian times. The modern country has its roots in Spanish colonisation of the region during the 16th century. Argentina rose as the successor state of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata, a Spanish overseas viceroyalty founded in 1776. The Argentine Declaration of Independence on July 9 of 1816 and the Argentine War of Independence (1810–1825) were followed by an extended civil war that lasted until 1880, culminating in the country's reorganisation as a federation. The then sparsely populated country thereafter enjoyed relative peace and stability, with several subsequent mass waves of millions of European immigrants (mainly Italians and Spaniards) significantly influencing its culture and demography. The National Autonomist Party dominated national politics in the period called the Conservative Republic, from 1880 until the 1916 elections. The Great Depression led to the first coup d'état in 1930 led by José Félix Uriburu, beginning the so-called 'Infamous Decade' (1930–1943). After that coup, four more followed in 1943, 1955, 1962, and 1966. Following the death of President Juan Perón in 1974, his widow and vice president, Isabel Perón, ascended to the presidency, before being overthrown in the final coup in 1976. The following military junta persecuted and murdered thousands of political critics, activists, and leftists in the Dirty War, a period of state terrorism and civil unrest that lasted until the election of Raúl Alfonsín as president in 1983.
In Their Own Story
The humidity in Mexico City was thick enough to taste, but the air inside the Estadio Azteca was electric with tension. Gary Lineker stood over the ball, his eyes fixed on the goal, unaware that history was about to be rewritten not by a strike of brilliance, but by a deceptive tap. The referee's whistle blew, and in an instant, a nation's hope shifted from despair to disbelief.
Reader's Guide
Argentina is a regional power, and retains its historic status as a middle power in international affairs. A major non-NATO ally of the United States, Argentina is a developing country with the second-highest HDI (human development index) in Latin America after Chile. Its economy is the second-largest in South America, and it is a member of G-15 and G20. Argentina is also a founding member of the United Nations, World Bank, World Trade Organization, Mercosur, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and the Organization of Ibero-American States.
Did You Know?
- The name Argentina derives from the Latin word for 'silver'.
- The first written use of the name in Spanish can be traced to a 1602 poem by Martín del Barco Centenera.
- Argentina claims sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, and a part of Antarctica.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Argentina in the context of English football?
Argentina represents England's most intense international rival, defined by historic clashes rather than frequent meetings. This nation rose to global prominence through legendary talents like Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi, creating a natural collision course with the European powerhouse.
Why is Argentina considered a major rival to England?
The rivalry stems from the sheer magnitude and emotional charge of their meetings, which often decide World Cup fates. It symbolizes a clash between European football tradition and South American flair, intensified by political tensions surrounding the Falklands War.
What is the current status of the England vs. Argentina rivalry?
This remains an active international rivalry that continues to generate immense anticipation whenever the two nations meet. Despite fewer recent meetings, the historical weight ensures every fixture is treated as a monumental event in football history.
Elsewhere in the England National Team universe
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