England vs Argentina: Rivalry and revenge at the FIFA World Cup | Football News
Despite the coaches trying to downplay the bitter rivalry between Argentina and England, the Albiceleste players were filmed celebrating their quarterfinal win over Switzerland with traditional anti-English chants, as well as new chants promising victory “for the Malvinas, for Diego, and for the end of Leo.”“WC 1962: Group Stage – ENG 3 ARG 1RIVALRY’S BIGGEST ADDITION: Argentina and England first met in FIFA World Cup in the 1962 edition in Chile, where England earned a 3-1 group stage victory that knocked Argentina out of the tournament. The result remains England’s biggest win over Argentina in World Cup history and is also their joint biggest win in all meetings between the two sides, along with a 3-1 friendly win at Wembley in 1980.WC 1966: QF – ENG 1 ARG 0RATTIN’S DAY SENT: In 1966, the two met in a World Cup quarterfinal match when England hosted the tournament. Antonio Rattin, then the captain of Argentina, was sent off the pitch. He took a corner banner that displayed the British flag when he left, and then sat on a red carpet meant for Queen Elizabeth, who refused to walk. English fans threw beer cans at him, he later said. Tempers on the pitch intensified throughout the match, which ended 1-0 to England, the tournament winners. England manager Alf Ramsey famously called Argentina’s players afterwards “animals”. It was an insult that Argentina never forgot. The recent death of Antonio Rattín has renewed the grievances of history.WC 1986: QF – ARG 2 ENG 1GOD’S HAND, AND THE FOOLISH GOAL: Twenty years ago, at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, the two sides met again in the World Cup. The match was fueled by high political tensions, taking place just four years after the 1982 Falklands/Malvinas War. Maradona scored his famous “Hand of God” goal, using his hand to punch the ball past English goalkeeper Peter Shilton — a foul that went unnoticed by the officials. Minutes later, Maradona scored a legendary second goal after an incredible mazy run, dribbling through half of the England team. For Maradona and many Argentines, this was not cheating. It was a victory of the underdog against the elite. Maradona later admitted in his autobiography that the victory felt like direct revenge for the Argentine soldiers who died in the war. WC 1998: Rd of 16 – ENG 2 ARG 2 (Argentina won by penalty shootout)BECKHAM INCLUDED: There was yet another poor send-off in a round of 16 clash. David Beckham, who excelled in his first World Cup, was sent off for kicking Diego Simeone. England battled to a 2-2 draw with 10 men, but only lost on penalties after Paul Ince and David Batty missed. This match will also be remembered for the wonder goal of teenager Michael Owen, but Beckham became the scapegoat for the defeat back in England.WC 2002: Group stage – ENG 1 ARG 0SONGS OF THE DIVINATION: Four years later, there was some redemption for Beckham. After Michael Owen was tripped by incoming Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino, Beckham fired home from the spot – the only goal of the game.
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