It could be said that England only ever becomes a team worth watching when playing Argentina. It all began in a Buenos Aires Cricket on June 20th 1867 when the first organised game of football was played by the White caps against the Red caps . Both teams were English and were then called by the local residents : “ingleses locos.” Since the Argentines took to the game, they've had a point to prove and, often to England's distaste, been able to prove it.
Whether its the fraught political history with the English, or 'piratas' as Argentine's like to call them, or a difference of character between the 'viveza' Argentina and the straight (some might say naive) game of football's founding father, there is something that happens between these two teams that creates sparks and some brilliant football. Whatever it is, the games between Argentina and England are always a rollercoaster of emotions. As Maradona himself once said "I always fear the English". Here are some of the highlights.
1. LA MANO DE DIOS
The first goal by Diego Maradona in the quarter finals of the 1986 World Cup which Argentina went onto win. Maradona famously described his handball as the “Hand of God” and this was widely celebrated in Argentina as a form of revenge for their recent defeat in the 1981 Falkands War.
2. El GOL DEL SIGLO
In the very same game, the crucial second goal by Diego Maradona against England was so skilfully executed and coolly finished that it is commonly described as the best ever scored .
3. EL ROBO DEL SIGLO
England's only claim to a world cup (1966) should in fact have been Argentina's. So stringly felt Antonio Rattin, in the first round of the 1966 World Cup sat on the Queen’s red carpet in protest at being sent off, watched by 90,584 spectators in Wembley. The German referee Rudolph Kreitlein who understood no Spnish was said to have dismissed him for the manner he had looked at him . The game was won 1-0 by England with a goal that was hotly contested for being off-side. After the game the England manager Alf Ramsey famously told his players to not shake the hands of the Argentine players and told the press that they were “animals”
4. IT ALL STARTED SO WELL.
The 1998 World Cup game and the first taste of sweet revenge for La Mano de Dioscomes with an unbelievable goal from an 18-year-old Michael Owen...probably the highlight of his career, and definitely one of England's
5. TEN HEROIC LIONS AND ONE STUPID BOY
Moments after the elation of Michael Owen, a petulant kick from David Beckham at Diego Simeone got the rising star sent off. Argentina went on to win on penalties against a very good Glen Hoddle side.
6. BECKHAM PENALTY IN SAPPORO
The spot kick sent Argentina out of the 2002 World Cup in Japan and Korea and was celebrated in England as revenge for the 1998 sending off and defeat...and the hand of God...and all the others...
7. ENGLAND VICTORIOUS IN RANCAGUA
Argentina were beaten by England in the 1962 Chile World cup with goals by Flowers, Greaves and a young Bobby Charlton.
8. ARGENTINA WIN “LITTLE WORLD CUP”
in 1964 Argentina's first victory in a full international against England was in the Maracana stadium in Rio Brazil during the Taca de Nacoes which they went on to win.
9. BOMBONERA KNOCK OUT Trevor Cherry became the first England player to be sent off in a friendly when he fouled Daniel Bertoni in the Boca Juniors stadium in 1977. Bertoni was then sent off for knocking out Cherry’s two front teeth.
10. FIRST UNOFFCIAL VICTORY for Argentina was in 1953 when a second eleven England played in The Monumental national stadium and were defeated 3- 1 with goals by Grillo and Micheli . This led to a politican of the time boasting : “ we have nationalised the railways and now we have nationalised football”.
