Robbery of the century to Hand of God – England v Argentina past World Cup games

Here the Press Association takes a look at their five previous encounters in the competition.

England 1 Argentina 2, 1986

Arguably the two most memorable moments in clashes between the two countries came within four minutes of each other in a World Cup quarter-final in the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City courtesy of Diego Maradona. The first ‘Hand of God’ incident remains indelible etched in the minds of all who witnessed it; the diminuitive midfielder outjumping goalkeeper Peter Shilton with the aid of a raised arm to knock the ball into the net. His second, subsequently called ‘Goal of the Century’ by FIFA, saw the Maradona collect the ball inside his own half before weaving his way to goal with 11 touches in 11 seconds past helpless England players.

England 2 Argentina 2 (Argentina won 4-3 on penalties), 2002

Another game packed full of incident, a high point for a teenage Michael Owen and a low one for a petulant David Beckham in the last 16. Gabriel Batistuta and Alan Shearer had traded penalties in the first 10 minutes – England’s won by the pace of Owen drawing a foul from Nelson Vivas before the 18-year-old Liverpool striker scored a brilliant solo goal of his own. Javier Zanetti levelled things up before half-time only for Beckham, two minutes after the interval, to leave England with a numerical disadvantage after being sent off for kicking out at Diego Simeone while laid on the ground. Glenn Hoddle’s side held out for penalties, only for goalkeeper Carlos Roa to save David Batty’s must-score fifth spot-kick.

England 1 Argentina 0, 2002

A match which offered a degree of redemption for Beckham, although it was only a group game, and saw Owen terrorise the South American’s defence once again. The Liverpool striker, who had earlier hit a post, was brought down by Mauricio Pochettino a minute before half-time. Beckham, now England captain, stepped forward to blast home, prompting a kiss of the shirt and an outpouring of emotion.

England 1 Argentina 0, 1966

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In what was English football’s greatest summer this was about as far from the beautiful game as you could imagine. The quarter-final is known in Argentina as ‘The robbery of the century’ and was the beginning of the rivalry between the two nations. The game quickly spiralled into a kicking contest and when Antonio Rattin was dismissed for a second bookable offence in the 33rd minute for verbally abusing referee Rudolf Kreitlein it all kicked off. The Argentina captain refused to leave the pitch and there was an eight-minute delay before the match restarted with coaching staff still remonstrating with officials. The game was settled by a Geoff Hurst header from a Martin Peters cross but, at the final whistle, the Argentinians surrounded the referee who had to be escorted off by police. England manager Sir Alf Ramsey described the Argentinians as “animals”.

England 3 Argentina 1, 1962

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Four years previously, in a group game in Chile, England comfortably defeated their South American opponents who, as one report described, employed a “ruthless, massed defensive formation”. Ron Flowers scored an early penalty and Bobby Charlton scored from 20 yards to make it 2-0 just before half-time. Jimmy Greaves poached a third just past the hour before Jose Sanfilippo, surrounded by four defenders, poked home a consolation.