4 clashes "entered history"

Atlanta - AFP - The English and the Argentinians wove one of the most fiercely competitive encounters in World Cup history, shaped by historical disputes and events, ahead of their sixth meeting, tomorrow Wednesday, in the 2026 World Cup semi-finals.

After 35 minutes of a very rough quarter-final, German referee Rudolf Kreitlein sent off Argentina captain Antonio Rattin (who died last week) verbally, as cards did not exist at the time.

A language barrier prevented any dialogue, and the tension escalated. Rattin refused to leave the pitch. He was eventually forced to leave after a long delay, escorted by police. In a provocative gesture, he then sat on the red carpet reserved for Queen Elizabeth II.

After the match, manager Alf Ramsey instructed his players not to exchange shirts with the Argentinians, later describing them as "animals." Following this incident, yellow and red cards were adopted to increase clarity.

Four years after the Falklands War between the two countries, the atmosphere was charged everywhere as the two sides approached a new quarter-final at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, in front of 114,580 spectators.

In less than five minutes, Diego Maradona scored a legendary double. In the first goal, the number 10 handled the ball with his left hand in a confrontation with goalkeeper Peter Shilton, without Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser noticing the trick. The Argentine legend considered the goal a "symbolic revenge against the English."

Michael Owen, aged 18, scored a fantastical goal in the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium during the round of 16. Argentina, trailing 1-2, managed to equalize before the end of the first half, and immediately afterward benefited from England's numerical disadvantage following an angry kick from David Beckham toward Argentine captain Diego Simeone, who had violently intervened against him. "El Cholo" later admitted he did everything to provoke the English star.

The "Three Lions" lost on penalties, and "Becks" became an outcast. For months, he faced death threats, spitting, and jeers from opposing fans. He said in a 2023 documentary series: "What I went through was very harsh. The whole country hated me."

Beckham, who had become captain, took revenge on Argentina and Simeone during a tense group stage match, which was decided by a penalty kick struck powerfully by number 7 into the center of the goal with clear anger.

The Manchester United playmaker celebrated the winning goal by running with his arms outstretched, before grabbing his shirt and pulling it repeatedly while shouting in joy. The defeat contributed to Argentina's surprising exit in the first round, when they were led by Marcelo Bielsa and considered among the top favorites to win the title upon arriving in Japan.