Alongside the tie\u2019s \u201chighest risk\u201d status, the Atlanta Police Department said in a statement that its citywide public safety and security posture has been enhanced.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdditional personnel and resources are already deployed and will continue to be strategically assigned in and around the event venues, entertainment districts, and other high-traffic areas to help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone,\u201d the statement read.<\/p>\n
The FBI has labelled England’s World Cup semi-final with Argentina the “highest risk” match at the tournament. Photo \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cThese proactive measures are designed to protect the public, deter criminal activity, and ensure residents and visitors can safely enjoy this historic event.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tensions between the nations can be traced back to 1982 and Argentina\u2019s invasion of the Falkland Islands<\/a>.<\/p>\n The war between Britain and Argentina lasted for 74 days and resulted in the deaths of 907 people, including 649 Argentine military personnel, 255 from Britain and three Falkland Islanders.<\/p>\n Argentine forces surrendered on June 14, 1982, which effectively ended the conflict and handed victory to the British.<\/p>\n Back on the pitch, Diego Maradona\u2019s \u201cHand of God\u201d goal<\/a> at the 1986 World Cup<\/a> has been a sore spot for England supporters, but the Argentine forward followed it with one of the most impressive goals ever seen at the tournament.<\/p>\n Argentina\u2019s players have been filmed throughout the tournament singing songs about the \u201cMalvinas\u201d<\/a>, the name Argentina give to the islands, but coach Lionel Scaloni sent a message to fans to remind them the fixture is just a game.<\/p>\n \u201cThe message to the Argentine people is that this is a soccer match,\u201d Scaloni said to the media.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re going to face a great team with a great coach, but it is just a soccer match, nothing more than that.\u201d<\/p>\n England<\/a> goalkeeper Jordan Pickford asked for calm before kickoff.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is just a game of football and two passionate sets of fans going there to watch a top-level game,\u201d Pickford said.<\/p>\n Lionel Messi<\/a> is set to play England for the first time in his career in the nations\u2019 first match against each other since 2005<\/a>.<\/p>\n The teams have played 14 times before, with England winning six times, Argentina twice and the other five being draws.<\/p>\n England won their last match against the South Americans 3-2 in Geneva, Switzerland, and secured victory in their last World Cup meeting in 2002.<\/p>\nA pre-match meeting between Fifa, police and the FBI discussed the historical divide between England and Argentina. Photo \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n