England v Argentina at World Cups, expulsions, provocations and redemption | OneFootball

England and Argentina’s World Cup meetings are rarely bland, even without 1986. L'Équipe revisits three flashpoints in a combustible rivalry.

Wembley 1966, a bruising quarter-final. Referee Rudolf Kreitlein dismissed captain Antonio Rattin for dissent, confusion followed without cards or a common language and play stopped about 20 minutes before police escorted him off.

Geoff Hurst struck on 80 minutes for a 1-0 win, Alf Ramsey banned shirt swaps and called the opposition animals as Argentines alleged FIFA favouritism under president Stanley Rous. The fallout helped referees’ supervisor Ken Aston devise yellow and red cards.

Saint-Étienne 1998 exploded. Gabriel Batistuta’s sixth-minute penalty was matched by Alan Shearer on 10, Michael Owen, 18, surged through to score in the 16th, and Javier Zanetti levelled from a free-kick routine on half-time.

After the break David Beckham kicked out at Diego Simeone and was sent off. Sol Campbell’s late header was ruled out for a foul on goalkeeper Carlos Roa, who then saved two in the shootout as Argentina advanced 2-2, 4-3.

In 2002 Beckham found redemption. Back from a metatarsal fracture caused by Aldo Duscher, he captained an England side set deep by Sven-Goran Eriksson, without Steven Gerrard and Gary Neville, and converted a 44th-minute penalty after Mauricio Pochettino tripped Michael Owen.

Marcelo Bielsa emptied his bench, bringing on attackers including Batistuta, Ortega, Kily Gonzalez, Aimar, Crespo and Claudio Lopez, but England held firm. Argentina then drew 1-1 with Sweden and went out at the group stage.

Source: L'Équipe