England vs. Argentina History: Every Head to Head Match Between the World Cup Rivals

Argentina is headed back to the World Cup final after a stunning late comeback against England.

Anthony Gordon gave England the lead in the 55th minute, but Enzo Fernández equalized in the 85th before substitute Lautaro Martínez headed home the winner two minutes into stoppage time. The 2-1 victory sends defending champion Argentina into Sunday’s final against Spain.

The semifinal was the first meeting between England and Argentina since 2005 and the latest chapter in a rivalry featuring the Hand of God, David Beckham’s red card and his redemption four years later. Here’s every encounter between the two nations.

England vs. Argentina History

• May 9, 1951 (London): England 2, Argentina 1 — Friendly
• May 14, 1953 (Buenos Aires): Argentina 3, England 1 — Unofficial warm-up; not recognized by England as a full international
• May 17, 1953 (Buenos Aires): Argentina 0, England 0 — Friendly abandoned because of torrential rain
• June 2, 1962 (Rancagua, Chile): England 3, Argentina 1 — 1962 FIFA World Cup
• June 6, 1964 (Rio de Janeiro): Argentina 1, England 0 — Taça das Nações
• July 23, 1966 (London): England 1, Argentina 0 — 1966 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal
• May 22, 1974 (London): England 2, Argentina 2 — Friendly
• June 12, 1977 (Buenos Aires): Argentina 1, England 1 — Friendly
• May 13, 1980 (London): England 3, Argentina 1 — Friendly
• June 22, 1986 (Mexico City): Argentina 2, England 1 — 1986 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal
• May 25, 1991 (London): Argentina 2, England 2 — 1991 England Challenge Cup
• June 30, 1998 (Saint-Étienne, France): Argentina 2, England 2, AET, Argentina won 4-3 on penalties — 1998 FIFA World Cup round of 16
• Feb. 23, 2000 (London): England 0, Argentina 0 — Friendly
• June 7, 2002 (Sapporo, Japan): England 1, Argentina 0 — 2002 FIFA World Cup group stage
• Nov. 12, 2005 (Geneva): England 3, Argentina 2 — Friendly
• July 15, 2026 (Atlanta): Argentina 2, England 1 — 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal

Wednesday’s World Cup semifinal in Atlanta was the fifteenth assembly between the 2 nations (their sixteenth encounter if the unofficial 1953 warm-up is included), and the primary since that 2005 pleasant.

The Three Matches Everybody Remembers

1986: The Hand of God, and the Aim of the Century

Diego Maradona scored twice within the quarterfinal in Mexico Metropolis, first with a blatant handball he later known as “the Hand of God,” then with a run by way of half of England’s workforce that is nonetheless often called the “Aim of the Century.” Argentina gained, 2-1, and went on to win the match.

1998: Beckham’s Pink Card

David Beckham was despatched off for a kick at Diego Simeone within the spherical of 16, leaving England to play a person down for greater than an hour. The match completed 2-2 after additional time, and Argentina gained on penalties, 4-3.

2002: Beckham’s Redemption

4 years later, Beckham bought the possibility to place it proper. He transformed a penalty in England’s 1-0 group-stage victory, serving to England advance whereas Argentina finally went dwelling within the group stage.

2026: Argentina’s Late Comeback

England appeared headed to its first World Cup ultimate since 1966 after Gordon scored within the fifty fifth minute. The lead held till the closing minutes, when Fernández equalized within the eighty fifth and Martínez headed within the winner at 90+2.

Argentina’s 2-1 victory secured a second consecutive World Cup ultimate and ended England’s bid to win its first title in 60 years. See the match highlights and complete statistics.

HISTORIC COMEBACK 🇦🇷 Argentina Scores Two Targets in Second Half, ADVANCING to FIFA World Cup™ Ultimate

Enzo Fernández & Lautaro Martínez rating two targets for Argentina to finish comeback towards England.