Argentina will wear their navy blue away strip against England in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday – a kit associated with iconic wins over the old enemy in 1986 and 1998. England will be in their all-white home kit for the game at the Atlanta Stadium, which kicks off at 20:00 BST live on the BBC.
While Fifa's preference is for each team to wear first-choice colours, and it ensures a dark-light contrast for colour-blind fans, media in Argentina have linked the move to superstition. The darker kit was worn when Diego Maradona scored the 'Hand of God' goal in a 2-1 quarter-final win in 1986, and when Argentina beat England on penalties in the last 16 of the 1998 tournament. The only time Argentina have worn the blue kit at this World Cup was a 3-1 group-stage win against Jordan.
“Argentina opt for navy blue away kit linked to historic wins over England; PM Starmer plans conditional bank holiday if Three Lions win World Cup.”
England booked their place in the semi-finals with a 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway on Saturday. Argentina required extra time too, beating 10-man Switzerland 3-1 on Sunday. Lionel Messi has scored eight goals at this World Cup; England's Jude Bellingham has six.
Sir Keir Starmer will reportedly make his final trip as prime minister to the US if England reach Sunday's final. He will attend the showpiece in New York, hours before tendering his resignation to the King. The government will also announce plans for a conditional bank holiday on Friday, July 24, granted only if England win the tournament.
On the question of a bank holiday, Starmer said earlier this month: "I don't want to jinx it, but ask me again if we get to the final." If England beat Argentina, that question will be answered – and the Three Lions will face the holders dressed in the colours of past heartbreak.
