The historic clash between England and Argentina returns to the forefront in the World Cup semi-final, in the first match between the two teams in this round, after their previous encounters formed timeless chapters in World Cup history.

The two teams have met on four previous occasions in the World Cup, all in knockout rounds, increasing the intensity of the rivalry.

The story began in the 1966 quarter-final with a 1-0 win for England in a match that saw the sending off of Argentina captain Antonio Ratín, one of the most controversial incidents, before the English went on to win the title.

Maradona writes the most famous chapter

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Twenty years later, at the 1986 World Cup, the most famous encounter occurred when Diego Maradona scored two famous goals: the first known as the 'Hand of God', and the second after a legendary dribble that remains one of the most beautiful goals in World Cup history.

Beckham reignites the rivalry

The exciting encounters between the two teams continued at the 1998 World Cup, when the match ended with Argentina winning on penalties after the sending off of England captain David Beckham, while the English team avenged their defeat in the 2002 edition with a win thanks to a penalty scored by Beckham, in the last World Cup meeting between the two sides.

New encounter... with different ambitions

The two teams enter the semi-final match with the ambition of reaching the final, in an encounter expected to add a new chapter to one of the most famous rivalries in football history. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed that his team treats the match as a football game and nothing more, while midfielder Rodrigo De Paul stressed that the focus is on winning and securing qualification to the final.

Although coach Scaloni described the match as 'a football game and nothing more', history weighs heavily on this encounter. Both England and Argentina aspire to secure a place in the final, in a match that promises to add a new chapter to this legendary rivalry.