The glorious history of England—Argentina | From the Hand of God to David Beckham’s revenge

Next Wednesday, England will face reigning world champions Argentina in the World Cup semi-final in North America, with former PSV player Noni Madueke. Both countries have a storied history that goes beyond head-to-head football matches.

The first meeting at the global final tournament took place during the 1962 World Cup and in the group stage England was too strong for the Argentines with a 3-1 win. Four years later, both countries met again during the 1966 World Cup in England.

In the quarterfinal, The Three Lions won 1-0, but according to Argentina, Geoff Hurst's goal should not have counted due to offside. In the end, the English managed to win the World Cup by beating West Germany 4-2 in the final, thereby giving England the first and, to date, also the last major trophy in football.

In 1986 both countries met again in the quarterfinals during the World Cup in Mexico, where Argentina ultimately won 2-1 and eventually also became world champions. Diego Armando Maradona took center stage against the English by scoring 1-0 with the notorious Hand of God and by scoring 2-0 after a solo run from his own half.

During the 1980s, tensions between the two countries in the political sphere had also risen due to the Falklands War from April 1982 to June 1982. The Falkland Islands are an island group and an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom located off the coast of Argentina and also claimed by that country.

The war is still not forgotten by the current generation of footballers from the South American country. ''For the Malvinas, for Diego, for Leo's last'', that was the cry from the Argentine camp after Switzerland was eliminated in the quarterfinals. Malvinas is the Spanish name for the Falkland Islands.

Twelve years later, both teams met in the Round of 16 of the 1998 World Cup in France. Argentina won on penalties after which the South Americans lost in the quarterfinals to the Netherlands.

At England, David Beckham became the scapegoat in that match because the English world star got a red card after Beckham kicked Diego Simeone. After the elimination, the former footballer—among others of Manchester United—was seen in England as the number one public enemy, and what’s more, Beckham was even threatened with death.

Four years later, both countries met again at the World Cup in Japan and South Korea. In the second group match, a penalty by Beckham secured the 0-1 with which England’s captain at the time became the match-winner and personally managed to take revenge on the Argentines.

The match England - Argentina is played on Wednesday evening at 9 p.m. Dutch time in Atlanta. The winner will face France or Spain in the final, both of which arrive on Tuesday and are seen as the top favorites for the world title.