Hand of God', Rattin and Beckham see red: Witnesses relive England Argentina World Cup rivalry

Soundtrack to the 2026 World Cup Semifinals is not the focus here; the report is about England vs Argentina and how key on-pitch incidents turned into lasting football rivalry. Ahead of the World Cup semifinals on Wednesday in Atlanta, Reuters revisited memories spanning 1966, 1986, and 1998, including Antonio Rattin refusing to leave the pitch and Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God.” The account gathers eyewitnesses present at decisive matches, including Rex Gowar and photographer Gary Hershorn, with the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City highlighted for the 1986 quarter-final. The article also contextualizes the rivalry through wider political history tied to the Falklands/Malvinas war. It underscores why these moments still resonate beyond the final whistle.