Maradona to Beckham, Argentina v England’s World Cup flashpoints ahead of Atlanta semi-final | OneFootball

Argentina and England’s World Cup rivalry is steeped in the 1982 Falklands War and unforgettable flashpoints.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, their first meeting came at Chile 1962, a group game England won 3-1 through Ron Flowers, Bobby Charlton and Jimmy Graves, with José Sanfilippo replying.

The rivalry took root in 1966. Captain Antonio Rattin was dismissed before half-time, refused to leave for eight minutes, then squeezed a British pennant, enraging players and home fans. Geoff Hurst scored on 78 for 1-0 and manager Alf Ramsey branded Argentina’s players “animals”, an affair widely thought to have hastened the introduction of yellow and red cards, first used at the 1970 World Cup. Rattin died last weekend.

Mexico 1986 delivered Argentina’s only World Cup win in this series, 2-1. Diego Maradona produced the Hand of God and the Goal of the Century, with Gary Lineker pulling one back. Argentina later lifted the trophy.

France 1998 brought a 2-2 classic, Argentina advancing on penalties. David Beckham was sent off for a flick at Diego Simeone, while 18-year-old Michael Owen won a penalty for Alan Shearer and scored a brilliant second. Gabriel Batistuta and Javier Zanetti struck for Argentina before they fell to the Netherlands in the next round.

In 2002, Beckham found redemption, converting a penalty after a marginal Mauricio Pochettino foul on Owen in a 1-0 group win. Argentina went out in the groups for the first time since 1962. Sven-Göran Eriksson’s England fell in the quarter-finals to Brazil led by Ronaldinho.

The old conflict still echoes. After the Switzerland game, Argentina’s players and fans chanted about the Malvinas, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi, though inside camp the message has been to keep it as just a football match.

England lead the World Cup head-to-head three wins to one with one draw. Wednesday’s tie in Atlanta will be the sixth instalment.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo