England vs Argentina is a fixture that carries weight like no other. With controversial incidents in previous games, this is a fixture that is massive for both nations with a ticket to the final up for grabs.
A redemption game for 1998 for England and a determination to reach back to back World Cup finals for Argentina is all to be decided on Wednesday in Atlanta, Georgia.
England vs Argentina: World Cup Head-to-Head Record
- England wins - 3
- Argentina wins - 2
- England goals scored - 8
- Argentina goals scored - 5
The two nations have met just five times in World Cup history with their two interactions occurring in the 1960s.
A 3-1 victory in the group stage helped knock out Argentina as England continued 2nd in their group. 9,794 fans were in attendance at Estadio El Teniente in Rancagua, Chile. Goals from Flowers, Charlton and Greaves were the difference before Sanfilippo added one back for consolation.
4 years later and the two nations met once again but this time it was win or go home. In 1966 in front of 90,584 fans at a packed Wembley Stadium England once again beat Argentina to knock them out of procedures. A fantastic cross was dispatched superbly by Hurst who's header looped over Roma in goal. With that England went onto win the World Cup for their first and only time to date.
The head to head by 1970 now looked as such.
- England 3-1 Argentina
- England 1-0 Argentina
How the Hand of God Changed the Rivalry Forever
In 1986, England and Argentina met again in one of the most politically charged matches in football history. Just four years earlier, the two nations had fought the Falklands War following Argentina's invasion of the Falkland Islands in April 1982.
With emotions still running high, the quarter-final in Mexico City became far more than a football match.
The defining moment arrived in the 51st minute.
Diego Maradona jumped alongside England goalkeeper Peter Shilton but, instead of heading the ball, he deliberately punched it into the net with his left hand. The Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser and his assistants failed to spot the handball, allowing the goal to stand.
After the match, Maradona famously described it as "a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the Hand of God."
Just four minutes later, however, he produced one of the greatest goals football has ever seen.
Picking the ball up inside his own half, Maradona dribbled past five England players before rounding Shilton to score what FIFA later voted the Goal of the Century.
Argentina won 2-1 and went on to lift the World Cup, while the Hand of God became one of the most controversial moments in football history and cemented England vs Argentina as one of the sport's fiercest rivalries.
The 1900s head to head changed with two Argentina wins:
- England 3-1 Argentina
- England 1-0 Argentina
- England 1-2 Argentina
- England 2-2 (P) Argentina
Beckham's Redemption in 2002
In 2002 the two nations faced off again at Sapporo Dome in front of 35,927 fans in attendance. Captain Beckham, who was controversially sent off last time the two sides played, stepped up when needed. Owen was fouled in the box and Collina awarded a penalty just before halftime.
Current USA national team manager Mauricio Pochettino, was deemed to have fouled Owen. Beckham lashed home from the spot, hitting it hard to the left of Cavallero and giving England fans one of the most famous celebrations ever. England finally ended their losing streak and knocking Argentina out in the group stage.
Can England Rewrite History Again?
Historically, each team wins twice before the other team wins. Two wins by England in the 60's was matched with two Argentinian wins across the 80's and 90's. However with the win in 2002, England are due to win the next match up before Argentina win again.
However, as the Three Lions struggled against one amazing Argentine they might struggle ahead of the clash against another. Lionel Messi is joint top goal scorer with 8 goals and two assists in his six games and 530 minutes.
That's a goal contribution once every 53 minutes. Thus if England play in extra time against Argentina, Messi should get two goal contributions.
A tough task for England lays waiting in Atlanta but with 12 goals from Bellingham and Kane alone anything is possible for this England side.
