The history of England's bitter World Cup rivalry with Argentina, from Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' to David Beckham's redemption arc

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A match between England and Argentina at a FIFA World Cup transcends just football. The fixture - pitting the second and fourth-best teams in the world, according to FIFA's rankings - combines sport and geopolitical history to create a tornado of technical skill and bitter rivalry unlike anything else.

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That Tornado will land in Atlanta on Wednesday when these two iconic national teams go head-to-head for a place in the 2026 World Cup final.

It is a prize befitting their sixth meeting at the tournament, and their first in any context since England defeated their old rivals 3-2 in a memorable friendly in 2005.

A different generation of players took to the field in Geneva 21 years ago, with Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, Hernan Crespo, and Walter Samuel finding the back of the net in a pulsating match.

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The most significant star to emerge for either side since then has to be Lionel Messi, but the World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer has yet to face an England side during his illustrious career.

With so much riding on the latest encounter, there is no better time to take a look back at the previous meetings between these two teams at the tournament.

So strap yourselves in, because it has been a bumpy ride.

1962 World Cup - England 3-1 Argentina

England and Argentina’s first meeting at a World Cup came in the group stages in 1962, and like their subsequent meetings, it was packed with drama.

They were 3-0 up by the 68th minute thanks to goals from Ron Flowers, Sir Bobby Charlton, and Jimmy Greaves, with Jose Sanfilippo scoring a late consolation.

That all sounds fairly routine until you realise that the win moved England above Argentina in the Group 4 table into second on goal difference.

The Three Lions progressed to the knockout stages and, as a result, faced eventual winners Brazil, while Argentina returned home.

1966 World Cup - England 1-0 Argentina

Sporting rivalry turned to bad blood in 1966 after England beat Argentina 1-0 in the quarter-finals.

Geoff Hurst scored a controversial winner at Wembley that many Argentina fans felt was offside, after Antonio Rattin was sent off following two controversial flash points in the first half.

Rattin initially refused to leave the field in a bizarre standoff, and in his protestations, crumpled a corner flag sat on a red carpet reserved for the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Things escalated even further after the full-time whistle blew.

Sir Alf Ramsey did not hold back in his assessment, describing the Argentine players as "animals" and insisting England’s heroes did not swap shirts with them.

1986 World Cup - England 1-2 Argentina

By the time the two sides met at the 1986 World Cup, the rivalry had reached new heights, but not because of events on the pitch.

In April 1982, Argentina launched Operation Rosario in an attempt to capture the British-held Falkland Islands.

The war that followed resulted in the death of over 900 people, with Argentina eventually surrendering on June 14.

What followed was an historic World Cup clash at Estadio Azteca which is still spoken about 40 years on.

Diego Maradona produced the iconic 'Hand of God' in the 51st minute, thumping the ball past Peter Shilton to the disgust of the England players.

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The magician’s second goal, on the other hand, was a thing of beauty.

Dubbed ‘The Goal of the Century’, Maradona dribbled past half the England team before beating Shilton to secure Argentina’s first win against England at a World Cup.

Gary Lineker got one back for the Three Lions, but it was not enough, and Maradona’s side went on to win the tournament.

Maradona said on multiple occasions since that Argentina's victory was retribution for the Falklands War.

1998 World Cup - England 2-2 Argentina (a.e.t) - Argentina win 4-3 on penalties

The rivalry was taken out of the frying pan and cast into the fire when the two sides met in the last 16 at the 1998 World Cup in France.

A thrilling first half burst into life as Gabriel Batistuta’s early opener was cancelled out by an Alan Shearer penalty.

Owen, then just 18 years old, gave Maradona a run for his money when he scored one of the great World Cup goals in the 16th minute, but Javier Zanetti levelled things up before the break.

However, the game is best remembered for a flashpoint at the start of an attritional second half that saw David Beckham sent off for kicking Diego Simeone.

England heroically battled through the second half and extra-time, but they eventually lost 4-3 on penalties, with Paul Ince and David Batty missing from the spot.

Many England fans turned on Beckham after the match, with The Daily Mirror’s front-page headline the following day reading ”10 HEROIC LIONS, ONE STUPID BOY”.

That was a sign of what was to come for Beckham, who endured a torrent of horrific abuse in the aftermath. But things can change quickly in the world of football, and he went on to captain his nation 59 times.

2002 World Cup - England 1-0 Argentina

Beckham cemented his place in the zeitgeist of the early 2000s as he completed his redemption arc by scoring the winner four years later.

The goal was not only a great moment for the England legend, but much like their first World Cup win over Argentina, it helped the Three Lions scrape through the group stages, sending their bitter rivals home in the process.

His penalty meant England finished one point above Argentina in Group F, securing second place behind a talented Sweden side.

The two teams have not met at a World Cup since.

However, with so many world-class talents in both squads, the time is right for someone to follow in the footsteps of Charlton, Maradona, and Beckham, and grab this crucial game by the scruff of the neck on Wednesday.

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