Argentina have chosen to wear their dark blue away kit for the World Cup semi-final against England in Atlanta, citing the colour's 'lucky' history. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) proactively requested FIFA's permission to use the alternate strip, despite England being designated as the home team.
Maradona's 1986 Heroics
The blue kit first earned its superstitious reputation during the 1986 World Cup quarter-final in Mexico City. Diego Maradona scored both his infamous 'Hand of God' goal and the 'Goal of the Century' in that colour scheme, securing a 2-1 victory over England. The kit itself was a last-minute purchase from a local market in Tepito after the original away shirts were deemed too heavy for the heat. Maradona reportedly blessed the cheap shirts, saying: 'With this, we'll beat England.'
1998 Penalty Win
The belief was reinforced at the 1998 World Cup in France, when Argentina again wore dark blue against England in the last 16. They won 4-3 on penalties after a dramatic 2-2 draw, which featured Michael Owen's wonder goal and David Beckham's red card.
Home Kit Curse
Adding to the superstition, Argentina have historically struggled against England while wearing their traditional sky-blue and white home stripes. At both the 1966 and 2002 World Cups, they wore their primary kit and suffered painful defeats, leading fans to believe the home shirt is cursed in this fixture.
Tuchel's Acknowledgment
England manager Thomas Tuchel has publicly respected Argentina's decision. 'I would have done the same thing if a specific kit carried such rich historical weight,' Tuchel said. 'Routines and lucky charms are completely normal at the highest levels of sport.'
