Argentina national anthem lyrics in English: Explaining Himno Nacional Argentino translation, history and more

Argentina face England in Wednesday's World Cup semifinal in Atlanta.The reigning champions are three wins away from a third star on the crest, after beating a 10-man Switzerland side in extra time to reach the final four.Before kickoff, as always, comes the Himno Nacional Argentino, one of the longest and most dramatically staged national anthems in world sport, sung with real force by players and fans alike.Here's what the anthem is about, who wrote it, and the history behind it.2026 WORLD CUP HQ: Latest World Cup news | Full World Cup schedule | Buy World Cup ticketsWhat does Argentina's national anthem say?The version sung today opens with a call to "hear the sacred cry" of freedom, repeated three times, before describing broken chains and a country now placing equality in the position