Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterArgentinas rivalry with England is undoubtedly one of the international games most bitter fixtures.A mixture of history, politics and emotion means that few other match-ups can compare to the usual blood-and-thunder that accompanies these games, especially when they are played on the biggest stage.The two foes both met in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, with both occasions not lacking in intensity, passion, controversy, and ultimately, mutual respect. You may like David Beckhams red card at France 98 was excessive. He shouldnt have been sent off, but Diego Simeone was clever Javier Zanettis World Cup 98 admission I showed Michael Owen a photo that proved I never fouled him at the 2002 World Cup. He signed it and wrote, You definitely touched me along with a smiley face Mauricio Pochettino relitigates fiery England vs Argentina clash The Argentina World Cup 2026 away kit is out - and it's an artistic MASTERPIECE Javeier Zanetti on Argentinas France 98 celebrationsFourFourTwo's essential 2026 World Cup pack!Get your hands on the newest issue of FourFourTwo - our ultimate World Cup pack! Featuring: Englands American dream, Jordan Pickford and Morgan Rogers, Scotlands return, Mauricio Pochettino Q&A, biggest upsets plus a huge wallchart and preview special!View DealThats according to former Argentina stalwart Javier Zanetti, who played in both matches and is keen to dispel the myth that his sides celebrations in Saint-Etienne in 1998, where the squad banged on bus windows at England, were done with an intention to provoke their opponents.We never felt we were disrespecting anyone, the former Inter Milan man tells FourFourTwo. We always celebrated our wins that way because we were passionate.We arrived at stadiums singing, like fans, and if we won, we left the same way. There was no reprimand from England. They understood we were celebrating and there was mutual respect.The two sides were then paired together in the group stage of the 2002 tournament, but Zanetti insists that his side were not concerned by the prospect of England wanting revenge.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.Despite the media hype, we were focused on other things, he continues, It just didnt interest us. What happened between Simeone and Beckham in 1998 stayed there and went no further.Im sure both remembered the incident when they shook hands in 2002, but what happens on the pitch, stays on the pitch.That game was settled by a single goal, with David Beckham scoring from the spot after Mauricio Pochettino was adjudged to have brought down Michael Owen in the box. What to read next 'We were alongside Maldini, Zola, Baresi - how did we even have a chance?' Terry Phelan on World Cup 94 'I haven't spoken to Zinedine Zidane in 20 years since World Cup Final headbutt' Marco Materazzi reveals true feelings towards France legend Everybody wanted to be in the post-match drug test, because you could drink as much alcohol as you wanted until you needed a wee! Gordon Strachan on his Scotland World Cup adventures Almost two-and-a-half decades have passed since, and debate still rages over whether referee Pierluigi Collina should have awarded a penalty.We came from a generation that had learned the tricks of the street, little ploys to gain an advantage, and Owen used one, Zanetti admits.It wasnt a penalty, but again, without VAR there was little you could do. In my view, England didnt deserve to win it was an even game, decided by that detail. That said, going out in the group stage was a huge fiasco for Argentina. We were very excited about that team and fell well short.Zanetti was speaking in association with the MagiCup youth tournament, taking place between June 1 and 5 at Walt Disney World in Florida. For further information, visit magicup.comTOPICSArgentinaEnglandWorld CupJoe 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
