FIFA World Cup 2026: Heated history between England and Argentina take center stage!

Argentina’s Diego Maradona (second from right) during their 1986 World Cup quarter-final win against England. Pics/AFP

1 ‘Hand of God' (1986)

In the World Cup quarter-final, with the score reading 0-0 in the second half, Argentina's Diego Maradona leaped alongside England goalkeeper Peter Shilton and punched the ball into the net. Referee Ali Bin Nasser saw no wrong and let the goal stand even though the England players protested furiously.
England lost 1-2, and later Maradona said that the goal was scored by the ‘Hand of God.'

2 Pochettino's foul, Beckham's penalty (2002)

England's David Beckham converts a penalty against Argentina 'keeper Pablo Cavallero at World Cup 2002

In the 2002 World Cup group stage, Argentina's Mauricio Pochettino fouled England's Michael Owen, resulting in a penalty before half-time. Beckham scored from the spot and England won 1-0 but almost a decade-and-a-half later, in his capacity as Tottenham Hotspur manager in 2016, Pochettino said: "Don't believe that English football is always fair because Owen jumped like [he was] in a swimming pool. Come on! I didn't touch him. I promise you. It's true."

3 Beckham's red card (1998)

England's David Beckham (left) is shown the red card vs Argentina at the 1998 World Cup

Two minutes into the 1998 World Cup round-of-16 match, England's David Beckham was sent off for retaliation with the scores locked at 2-2. Beckham hit back after being fouled by Argentina's Diego Simeone. England ended up losing via tie-breaker.

4 Rattin's weird sending off (1966)

Antonio Rattin

In the World Cup quarter-finals at Wembley (a few days before England won their only World Cup), Argentina skipper Antonio Rattin was sent off for dissent. However, yellow or red cards had not yet been introduced then, so Rattin couldn't understand German referee Rudolf Kreitlein and refused to leave for 10 minutes before police officers took him off. England won 1-0, and cards were introduced from the next edition. Rattin, 89, died recently (July 11), and Argentina wore black armbands against Switzerland in his memory.

5 Bertoni punches Cherry (1977)

In a friendly in Buenos Aires in 1977, Argentina's Daniel Bertoni was furious when England's Trevor Cherry fouled him from behind. He punched Cherry in the face, knocking out two of his front teeth, leading to both players being sent off. Cherry became the first English player ever to see a red card in the 1-1 draw.