Although the coaches are trying to reduce the bitter conflict between Argentina and England, the Albiceleste players were filmed celebrating their quarter-final win in Switzerland with anti-English chants, as well as new songs promising victory “for Malvinas, for Diego, and for the last Leo.”“WC 1962: Team Group – ENG 3 ARG 1MOST COMPETITION WINS: Argentina and England met for the first time in the tournament FIFA World Cup in the 1962 edition in Chile, where England secured a 3-1 group stage victory that saw Argentina out of the tournament. The result remains England’s biggest win over Argentina in World Cup history and is their biggest win in any meeting between the two sides, including a 3-1 victory at Wembley in 1980.WC 1966: QF – ENG 1 ARG 0DATE RATTIN SENT: In 1966, the two met in a World Cup quarterfinal match where England competed. Antonio Rattin, who was the captain of Argentina, was sent off. He grabbed a corner flag bearing the British flag as he left, and sat on the red carpet he wanted Queen Elizabeth to walk on, refusing to leave. English fans threw beer cans at him, he later said. Tempers on the pitch ran high throughout the match, which ended 1-0 to England, who went on to win the tournament. England manager Alf Ramsey referred to the Argentinian players afterwards as “meats”. It is an insult that Argentina has not forgotten. The recent death of Antonio RattÃn has brought back old grievances.WC 1986: QF – ARG 2 ENG 1THE HAND OF GOD, AND A BEAUTIFUL PURPOSE: Twenty years later, at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, the two teams met again in the World Cup. The Games were inspired by the great political conflict, which took place just four years after the Falklands/Malvinas War of 1982. Maradona scored his famous “Hand of God” goal, using his hand to punch the ball past English goalkeeper Peter Shilton – a mistake that went unnoticed by the officials. A few minutes later, Maradona scored a famous second goal after a spectacular run, passing through half of the England team. For Maradona and for many Argentines, it was not cheating. It was the victory of the low over the elite. Maradona later admitted in his biography that the victory felt like a direct revenge for the Argentine soldiers who died in the war. WC 1998: Rd of 16 – ENG 2 ARG 2 (Argentina won via shootout)BECKHAM TAKES A STUDY: There was another bad send-off in the round of 16. David Beckham, after doing well in his first World Cup, was sent off for shoving Diego Simeone. England drew 2-2 with 10 men, but lost on penalties Paul Ince and David Batty missed. The clash will also be remembered for Michael Owen’s stunning goal, but Beckham was the scapegoat for England’s defeat.WC 2002: Group stage – ENG 1 ARG 0REDEMPTION SONG: Four years later, there was another redemption for Beckham. After Michael Owen was tripped up by future Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino, Beckham blasted home from the spot – the only goal of the game.
