Argentina vs England, World Cup 2026 — The Hand of God Rivalry Returns in the Semifinal

1986: The Hand of God and the Goal of the Century

No World Cup meeting between these two nations — or perhaps any two nations, ever — is as famous as the 1986 Quarterfinal at the Estadio Azteca. Diego Maradona scored twice in the same match, and the two goals could not have been more different. The first, in the 51st minute, saw Maradona leap above England goalkeeper Peter Shilton and punch the ball into the net with his fist. Referee Ali Bin Nasser allowed it to stand. Maradona later called it "a little bit the hand of God, and a little bit the head of Maradona" — the goal has been known as the Hand of God ever since.

Four minutes later, Maradona scored again — this time by collecting the ball inside his own half, beating five English players in a 66-metre run, and rounding Shilton to finish. FIFA has since named it the Goal of the Century. Argentina won 2-1 and went on to lift the trophy. No single match has done more to define this rivalry.

1998 and 2002: Beckham's Red Card, Then His Redemption

The rivalry's next chapter came at France 1998, when Argentina and England drew 2-2 in a pulsating Round of 16 tie before Argentina won 4-3 on penalties. David Beckham was sent off during the match for a kick aimed at Diego Simeone, becoming a target of intense criticism back in England.

Four years later at the 2002 World Cup, Beckham got his measure of revenge: his penalty in the group stage secured a 1-0 win over Argentina, a result still fondly remembered by English fans as one of the great redemption stories in their World Cup history.

The Overall Record

England hold a narrow edge in World Cup meetings between the two nations — three wins (1962, 1966, and 2002) to Argentina's two (the 1986 quarterfinal and the 1998 shootout victory). Every single meeting between these two teams at a World Cup has been a knockout-stage or decisive group match — this rivalry has never produced a dead rubber.

Messi vs Bellingham: A New Chapter

This 2026 meeting adds a new layer: Lionel Messi, almost certainly playing his final World Cup and already the tournament's outright top scorer with 8 goals, against Jude Bellingham, who has been directly involved in a goal in every single England match this tournament, including the extra-time winner that eliminated Norway. Whichever of football's biggest current stars has the greater impact on July 15 will write the next chapter in one of the sport's defining rivalries.

5 Things to Know

1. England lead the World Cup head-to-head 3-2, but Argentina hold the two most recent knockout-stage results (1986, 1998).

2. The Hand of God and the Goal of the Century were scored by the same player, in the same match, four minutes apart.

3. David Beckham's 1998 red card and 2002 redemption penalty remain two of the most talked-about individual moments in either nation's World Cup history.

4. This is the first Argentina vs England meeting at a World Cup since 2002 — their first-ever meeting at the Semifinal stage.

5. The winner reaches the Final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium.