England, Argentina renew hostilities

Last time England faced Argentina in the Korea/Japan World Cup in 2002

Harry Kane’s England will lock horns with Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the second semi-final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta on Wednesday, renewing hostilities which go back several decades.

Last time England faced Argentina in the Korea/Japan World Cup in 2002, David Beckham stroked home from 12 yards to not only give his nation the bragging rights over their long-time rivals, but also redeem himself from happenings four years prior.

It was in France where the two fierce “enemies” had met in their fourth World Cup meeting, which is still remembered for the brilliant breakthrough goal scored by an 18-year old Michael Owen, who announced himself on the global stage.

However, England’s chances were subsequently marred by the sending-off of Beckham as the Three Lions eventually lost in the tie-breaker to turn the Manchester United poster boy into a villain in the eyes of the entire country.

Beckham waited four agonising years to resurrect himself and bury the ghosts of Saint Etienne, and if his celebration was anything to go by, it was some salvation.

Whatever the past results and history, their encounter in the 1986 edition at the famous Azteca though comes to the forefront of the two sides’ fans whenever previous England-Argentina clashes are up for discussion.

The animosity between the two nations heated up four years before the Mexico tie with the Falklands War.

The bloody 2.5-month war saw 649 Argentine military personnel killed along with 255 from the British side as well as three inhabitants of the island.

The South Americans especially feel strongly about the hostilities that occurred in Islas Malvinas, including the late Diego Maradona.

It was no doubt in the minds of the Argentina team that lined up against Bobby Robson’s England in the quarter-final.

That English outfit is considered one of the best to have ever put on the famous white jersey, featuring, among others, goalkeeper Peter Shilton, Terry Butcher, Glenn Hoddle, Peter Beardsley and Gary Lineker – the Golden Boot winner of that edition despite going out in the last eight.

But in Maradona, they were up against a man possessed.

The legend first exhibited his darker side with the “Hand Of God” goal in the second half, the event of which upon millions of lines have been written, documentaries made, and discussions dissected across the world.

Maradona rose high in the 51st minute and poked the ball into the net with his arm past a helpless Shilton, the keeper unable to forgive the Argentine great all these years for that controversy, like many of his countrymen, and only recently softening his heart and putting behind the infamous incident.

Tunisian referee Ali Ben Nasser claimed neither he nor his assistant saw Maradona using his arm.

Maradona then showed his genius just four minutes later, almost running the entire length of the pitch and navigating a traffic of English players to score what is still considered one of the greatest World Cup goals of all-time.

Lineker grabbed the consolation goal nine minutes from the final whistle.

Perhaps however, Kane and Co will look even beyond the 1986 edition, in the 1960s to be precise, for inspiration.

In back-to-back instalments, in 1962 and 1966, England sent Argentina home, first in the group stage and then in the quarter-final when the Three Lions clinched their maiden and only World Cup trophy till date.

A long 60 years has elapsed since then.

With six goals each, the onus will invariably be on Kane and Jude Bellingham to take their side one step closer to the promised land and end years of hurt.