Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterThere arent many fixtures in international football that have the needle of an England vs Argentina clash.The two rivals have met 14 times over the years, with the rivalry really catching fire after the infamous World Cup 1986 clash that was played with the Falklands War fresh in the memory.The rivals would then meet in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, both of which were marred by controversy, with David Beckhams red card dominating the Saint-Etienne clash before England were able to get some small measure of revenge in Sapporo four years later, thanks to a questionable penalty decision. You may like Marcelo Bielsa knocked on my parents door at 1am to offer me a trial. The streets were empty except for stray dogs The extreme methods used to discover Mauricio Pochettino 'I haven't spoken to Zinedine Zidane in 20 years since World Cup Final headbutt' Marco Materazzi reveals true feelings towards France legend Mauricio Pochettino exclusive: USMNT boss reveals details of high-level Manchester United meeting Pochettino on the 2002 England vs Argentina clashMichael Owen was at the heart of both of these games, scoring what was perhaps the goal of the 1998 World Cup when he slalomed past the Argentina defence before slotting home. Four years later, fresh from winning the Ballon dOr, he led the line for England.Tasked with stopping him that day was future Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino, who was in the heart of the Argentina defence for Marcelo Bielsas side that had romped through qualification and were one of the favourites to lift the trophy in Japan and South Korea.After going to penalties four years earlier, it seemed inevitable that this game would again be settled by the narrowest of margins, and this proved to be the case.Shortly before half-time, Owen ran into the box, looked to jink past Pochettino and hit the deck. Referee Pierluigi Collina quickly pointed to the spot and David Beckham converted the penalty, which gave Sven Goran-Erikssons side a 1-0 victory.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.But not everyone was convinced a spot kick should have been awarded, as Owen was accused of diving.It was a penalty because it was given [*Laughs*], Pochettino tells FourFourTwo.Once, in Qatar, I met Pierluigi Collina, the referee of that match. He never admitted it was a mistake, but we all know that with VAR, that would have been overturned. Ive seen the footage a million times.From the referees angle, I probably would have given it. Without the tools we have today, I understand. But I never touched Owen.When I was managing Southampton, Owen was a TV pundit. I knew he was coming in one day and told my press officer I wanted him to come down and say hello. I had the photo ready the one that clearly shows I didnt touch him. He signed it and wrote, You definitely touched me along with a smiley face.We had a good laugh about it. He was clever, and I was a little bit naive.TOPICSEnglandArgentinaWorld Cup 2002Joe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromDani Gil
