Twenty-four years. Six World Cups. All that has passed for the Argentine national team to meet England again. That rival that fans remember in several songs («the boys of the Falklands that I will never forget»). That clash that Diego Maradona took on his shoulders until becoming a myth. The moment has arrived: next Wednesday, in Atlanta at 4 PM Buenos Aires time, Argentina and England will face off in a semifinal of the World Cup in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
The historical record favors the Europeans, but this is unprecedented: a place in the World Cup final is at stake. There are five precedents in 96 years of the World Cup. The most remembered is Mexico 1986, celebrated on Argentine soil and lamented on British soil.
The first clash occurred in the group stage of Chile 1962, when no rivalry separated them. The English team secured a victory from start to finish and only avoided a rout thanks to a stoppage-time goal by José Sanfilippo with nine minutes left. With two goals from Ron Flowers and Bobby Charlton in the first half and one from Jimmy Greaves in the second, England beat Argentina at the Rancagua stadium on June 2: 3-1.
English and Argentines met again on June 23, 1966. In the quarterfinals of the tournament they hosted and won, the British prevailed. At 35 minutes, Antonio Ubaldo Rattin, who passed away this Saturday at age 89, was sent off by German referee Rudolf Kreitlein through gestures, due to the absence of cards. The tall midfielder delayed leaving the Wembley pitch, supposedly because of language barriers with the referee. Annoyed, he lightly crumpled the British fabric of a corner flag and, according to the temperamental player who then wore the number 10 shirt, he sat on the red carpet of the English queen. The hosts, with an extra man, made the difference, though only by one goal. Geoff Hurst scored at 33 minutes of the second half.
Later came the match everyone remembers: Azteca Stadium, Mexico 1986, Diego Maradona, the hooligans. On June 22, the legend was born. With the unavoidable political context of the still recent Falklands War. After a tight first half, the number 10 displayed two extremes of Argentine identity. Six minutes into the second half, he executed the «Hand of God,» which today would not pass VAR. And ten minutes later, the antithesis: the «Goal of the Century.» The dribble past five opponents and half the pitch in 10 seconds that was admired worldwide. It ended 2-1 with a stoppage-time goal by Gary Lineker with nine minutes left, which did not seriously threaten the Albiceleste victory. That day, the second world champion title was definitively secured, and the country, far in the south, was a party.
Twelve years later, on June 30, 1998, the round of 16 of France 1998 pitted them against each other, now without Maradona. The only draw occurred, a 2-2 with goals in the first half. The match was changing: Gabriel Batistuta opened early with a penalty, England turned it around with goals from Alan Shearer and Michael Owen, and a masterfully executed set piece handled by Juan Sebastián Verón and finished by Javier Zanetti, with a left-footed shot after the defender crouched behind the wall, equalized. In Saint-Étienne, there was a penalty shootout, and Carlos ‘Lechuga’ Roa was the hero, like several other Argentine goalkeepers in playoffs. The difference was him: while David Seaman saved Hernán Crespo’s shot, Roa stopped those of Paul Ince and David Batty. Additionally, there was a highly remembered episode: early in the second half, a young David Beckham was sent off for an exaggerated aggression by Diego Simeone.
The 2002 World Cup in South Korea/Japan is still a dagger for Argentines. Not only because of the early elimination, but because of what caused it: the clash with the English in the second match of Group F on June 7. Beckham got his revenge at the Sapporo stadium in Japan. A controversial penalty that Italian referee Pierluigi Collina awarded against Mauricio Pochettino allowed the midfielder to score the only goal. He shouted it with all his soul, with that red card still on his mind. And it forced Argentina to beat Sweden to continue. The victory did not happen: the Albiceleste was eliminated in the group stage after that frustration since Chile ’62.
Now, with qualification secured after the win over Switzerland, the Albiceleste prepares for a duel that transcends sports. History, politics, and passion intersect in this match that promises to be unforgettable. Can Argentina prevail against its classic rival and take another step toward glory? On Wednesday in Atlanta, a new chapter begins to be written.
Para mí esto es Argentina carajo, les vamos a romper el orto a esos piratas ingleses, viva la patria y a la bosta los británicos. Yo creo que Argentina sale campeón, no me importa nada, la celeste y blanca las tiene bien puestas, esto huele a gloria.
para mi inglaterra la concha de su hermana vienen a robarnos como siempre pero este año les partimos el orto malvinas argentinas carajo viva la seleccion a casa con la copa 🇦🇷💥🏆