'Animals', Hand of God and Beckham - Argentina and England's World Cup rivalry

The article, by BBC Sport senior journalist Andy Cryer, previews the upcoming World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina, framing it as the latest chapter in a rivalry that spans over six decades. It highlights the iconic status of the match, noting that it will be the first time Lionel Messi has played against England, as the defending champions aim to stop Thomas Tuchel's side. The piece emphasizes that the rivalry extends beyond the pitch, fueled by political tensions, particularly surrounding the Falklands War, which is still referenced by fans and players. The article revisits the history of their World Cup encounters, starting with a tame 3-1 England victory in 1962. It focuses heavily on the infamous 1966 quarter-final, where Argentina felt robbed by Geoff Hurst's winning goal and captain Antonio Rattin was sent off after just 33 minutes. The match was marred by ill-temper, with England manager Alf Ramsey describing the Argentine side as 'animals' and defender George Cohen later recalling 'snidey things' like spitting and hair-pulling. Despite England holding a historical edge in their five World Cup meetings, the article notes that their last meaningful win came in 2002, suggesting the rivalry may be less familiar to younger generations.