England are into the World Cup semi-finals for the first time since 2018, and an old foe awaits them in Argentina.
Few fixtures in international football carry more weight and history than this one, and the two nations will renew their rivalry on the biggest stage of all when they meet on Wednesday night.
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England booked their spot in the semi-finals with a 2-1 comeback win over Norway, with Jude Bellingham’s double the difference.
Meanwhile, Argentina kept their 2022 title defence alive by seeing off Switzerland 3-1 in their quarter-final, thanks to goals from Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez in extra time.
This sets up a thrilling last-four showdown in Atlanta, as the two sides prepare to renew a rivalry that is steeped in World Cup history.
From a furious encounter in 1966 to Diego Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal 40 years ago, and David Beckham’s red card in 1998, England and Argentina have become sworn enemies at the tournament.
The tension goes beyond the pitch too, with the Falklands War in the 1980s dominating the relationship between the two nations.
Despite a long-running feud, 24 years have passed since the pair last met on the World Cup stage in 2002, so we’ve decided to take a look back at the moments that have made the rivalry.
England vs Argentina: Head-to-head record
It has taken just 14 international showdowns to put England and Argentina at odds with each other in the footballing world.
And Three Lions fans can take some encouragement from their head-to-head record, with their side edging this with six wins.
Meanwhile, the Albiceleste have triumphed just twice, although both have come at the World Cup – in 1986 and 1998.
On five occasions, matches between them have ended in a draw.
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Recent history is on England’s side, who clinched a 3-2 victory in the last match-up between the pair in a 2005 friendly.
Michael Owen’s late double sealed the win for the Three Lions, but this isn’t a rivalry built on friendly encounters.
The World Cup is where this feud has truly come to life, with England and Argentina coming up against each other five times.
And while the Three Lions boast the superior record – winning on three occasions – this doesn’t tell you the full story.
So we’ve decided to do exactly that, by revisiting four iconic World Cup fixtures that are responsible for a rivalry like no other.
England v Argentina: Head-to-head record
Total meetings: 14
England wins: 6
Argentina wins: 2
Draws: 5
Last time they met: England 3-2 Argentina (international friendly, November 2005)
Last time Argentina won: Argentina 2-2 England – Argentina win 4-3 on penalties (World Cup round of 16, June 1998)
1966: England 1-0 Argentina, quarter-finals
England’s finest hour came in 1996, as they clinched the World Cup glory with a legendary 4-2 victory over West Germany in the final.
And this wasn’t the only battle they had to overcome – the Three Lions’ edged a feisty quarter-final affair with a 1-0 victory over Argentina, as Geoff Hurst bagged a late winner at Wembley.
But Hurst’s goal was heavily disputed by Argentina, who insisted that the 1966 final hero was offside and that they had been robbed.
That wasn’t the only point of contention though – it all kicked off when Argentina captain Antonio Rattin was sent off after just 33 minutes for two offences in the space of three minutes.
The match was delayed for almost eight minutes as Rattin refused to leave the pitch, before England held on to reach the semi-finals.
But the feisty affair left Three Lions manager Alf Ramsey unimpressed, who described the Argentine side as ‘animals’ and instructed his players not to swap shirts at full-time.
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1986: Argentina 2-1 England, quarter-finals
Ask any football fan about England and Argentina’s rivalry, and they will surely point to this match.
This quarter-final was played four years after the two countries had fought the Falklands War, making the game far more than just a football rivalry.
And it was a truly iconic figure who stole the show – for all the right and wrong reasons.
Diego Maradona produced one of football’s all-time controversial moments with his infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal after punching the ball past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton into the net.
But Argentina’s iconic no.10 showcased his genius soon after, as he dribbled through half of the Three Lions team, before rounding Shilton and slotting home to double his side’s lead.
Gary Lineker pulled a goal back, but England were unable to find the equaliser and crashed home in the most controversial cirucmstances.
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1998: Argentina 2-2 England (Argentina win 4-3 on pens), last 16
This match will forever be remembered for a moment of madness from David Beckham.
The Three Lions icon was shown a red card for his kick out at Argentina’s Diego Simeone, in a game which also saw one of this country’s greatest-ever World Cup goals.
After Gabriel Batistuta and Alan Shearer traded penalties, Michael Owen scored a spectacular solo goal to put England 2-1 up.
Argentina went on to equalise, before the Three Lions, who rallied bravely without Beckham, saw Sol Campbell’s would-be winner ruled out for an elbow from Shearer in the 81st minute.
This forced the match to penalties, where the South Americans ran out 4-3 winners after David Batty and Paul Ince missed for England.
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2002: England 1-0 Argentina, group stage
If Beckham was the villain in 1998, he redeemed himself as the hero four years later.
The then England skipper netted the winner from the penalty spot, after Michael Owen was fouled by current USA manager and ex-Tottenham and Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino.
The win proved crucial for the Three Lions, who went on to reach the knockout stages, while Argentina ultimately failed to progress.
While England would make it to the quarter-finals, they were then undone by Brazil, who won 2-1 courtesy of Ronaldinho’s memorable free-kick winner.
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