England vs Argentina: Every World Cup meeting as rivalry reborn in semi-final showdown | OneFootball

England and Argentina reignite their rivalry tonight in the 2026 World Cup semi-finals. It's a feud fuelled by history, on and off the field, with World Cup meetings between the sides often marked by animosity and drama.

Ahead of tonight's massive occasion, we've remembered every past meeting between England and Argentina.

England 3-1 Argentina - 1962 World Cup group stage

England faced Argentina in a must-win group game during the 1962 tournament in Chile. The Three Lions had lost their opener to Hungary, while Argentina had beaten Bulgaria, putting themselves in a position to secure qualification.

However, England were dominant to take a vital victory in Rancagua, as Ron Flowers opened the scoring from the spot and Bobby Charlton doubled the lead before half-time. Jimmy Greaves made it three for England, with José Sanfilippo's response for Argentina little consolation. After both teams drew their final games, England snuck through ahead of Argentina via goal ratio.

England 1-0 Argentina - 1966 World Cup quarter-final

Four years later, England were the host nation and seeking a firstWorld Cup success on home soil. The teams met again in a hard-fought quarter-final, decided by Geoff Hurst's goal.

Argentina captain Antonio Rattin was ushered off the pitch by police after a red card, in a moment that helped light the touch-paper for the rivalry.

Argentina 2-1 England - 1986 World Cup quarter-final

The most famous game of all time between England and Argentina took place at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.

Tensions were heightened following the Falklands War between the two nations only four years earlier, with Argentina's talismanDiego Maradona later admitting the conflict had been at the forefront of the South Americans' minds.

Maradona decided the game, scoring the most infamous and, perhaps, famous goals in World Cup history. His notorious'Hand of God' goal, punched past Peter Shilton but missed by the officials, put Argentina ahead, before a moment of magic soon after.

The midfielder waltzed a route through a succession of England challenges to score a sublime solo goal and ensure the Albiceleste advanced to the final four.

In his autobiography, Maradona later declared his match-winning moments as “revenge (…) for everything that happened (in the Falklands)”, admitting that he and his team-mates “knew a lot of Argentinian kids died, shot down like little birds”.

Argentina 2-2 England (Argentina won 4-3 on penalties) - 1998 World Cup last-16

Another unforgettable World Cup tie, packed full of action and controversy. After Gabriel Batistuta and Alan Shearer exchanged penalties in the opening nine minutes, a teenageMichael Owen announced himself to the world. Picking up possession inside the centre circle, the 18-year-old's scintillating solo run ended with one of the World Cup's great goals.

Argentina were level before half-time, via Javier Zanetti. as the referee's whistle was sounded on a breathless opening 45 minutes. In the second half, the drama continued and the flashpoint arrived whenDavid Beckham was sent off for a petulant kick out at Diego Simeone.

Unable to be separated after extra time, Argentina progressed on penalties as David Batty and Paul Ince missed for 10-man England.

England 1-0 Argentina - 2002 World Cup group stage

Having been vilified for his role in England's exit to Argentina in 1998, David Beckham completed his redemption arc in Japan and South Korea.

Having already scored the free-kick that sealed England's place at the tournament, Beckham exacted his personal revenge on Argentina in the group stage.

The Three Lions' captain scored the decisive goal from the spot, after Michael Owen had taken a theatrical tumble over Mauricio Pochettino's outstretched leg.

England advanced from the tournament's 'Group of Death', while pre-tournament favourites Argentina fell at the first hurdle.