Rivalry and revenge: the long, bitter relationship between England and Argentina
The first semifinal meeting adds a new chapter to a rivalry shaped by the 1966 expulsion, Maradona’s 1986 goals and later red cards.
- Argentina and England will meet in a FIFA World Cup semi-final for the first time on Wednesday, with the winner advancing to Sunday's final.
- The rivalry intensified in 1966 when Argentine captain Antonio Rattin was expelled; England manager Alf Ramsey notoriously referred to the Argentina players as 'animals' afterward.
- Tension peaked following the 1982 Falklands War, in which 649 Argentine soldiers and 255 British combatants died. In the 1986 quarter-final, Diego Maradona scored the 'Hand of God' goal, which he described as defeating a country.
- Later meetings included the 1998 round of 16, remembered for David Beckham receiving a red card, and a 2002 group stage match where a Beckham goal secured an England victory.
- Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni urged focus on the match after Argentina beat Switzerland on Saturday, stating, 'Let's not look for anything else.' Players acknowledged historical significance but prioritized reaching the final.
11 Articles
11 Articles
FIFA World Cup: Rivalry and revenge -- the long, bitter relationship between England and Argentina
Argentina and England are set to clash in a World Cup semi-final, marking their first such encounter, a match deeply rooted in decades of historical and footballing rivalry, including infamous incidents involving Antonio Rattin, Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal, and the Falklands War.
Clear your agenda, put the time of the game on the calendar and forget to sit down to watch this beautiful sport. The match between Argentina and England is much more than a football match; it is a fierce and entrenched rivalry, full of animosity, that transcends the sport. Inevitably, the Falkland Islands will be part of the debate in the coming days, even though England and Argentina have plenty of history on the pitch to prevent a 74-day conf…
The match between Argentina and England, for the semifinals of the World Cup, is another chapter of the intense rivalry between the two countries, which goes far beyond the four lines.The selections come back to face 40 years after one of the most striking games
Victor Ego Ducrot «England can overcome Argentina in speed, but they have that little genius that is Messi. Everyone plays for it. Everyone should be excited. Marking it is impossible because it does not recede. It slips into small spaces where it really should not be. It is activated in the right moments and has the best technique. Its spatial vision is fantastic. It has a great shot. And most importantly, it has personality and charisma.” Almo…
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