Simeone added,
Owen elaborated,
Owen admitted,
The long-standing rivalry between England and Argentina, rooted in historical conflicts dating back to the early 19th century, has grown into an intriguing football narrative. These encounters, marked by memorable moments like the infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal and David Beckham’s controversial red card, symbolize a rich tapestry of politics, history, and passion that transcends the pitch.
Diego Simeone, the dynamic manager of Atlético Madrid, played a pivotal role in this rivalry, particularly remembered for his involvement in Beckham’s dismissal during the 1998 World Cup. Reflecting on those days, Simeone stated,
I love playing against the English.
In a 2002 interview conducted at his opulent home in Rome, he expanded on his sentiments, saying,
English football is always more open, aggressive and passionate. Whether you win or lose against English teams, you always feel it’s been a proper contest.
He reminisced about his inaugural match against England at Wembley in 1991, showcasing a scar on his shin as a memento:
I’ve still got a souvenir from Stuart Pearce from that day. Great game.
The 1998 World Cup match stands out for its intensity and drama, being the first since Maradona’s notorious incident in 1986. Simeone regarded it as among the best international matches he has ever played, asserting,
It is the best international match I’ve played in. They [England] were incredible that night. Alan Shearer and Paul Ince were extraordinary. At times it seemed Shearer was fighting us on his own. You have to remember they played for 70 minutes with 10 men.
Despite being the instigator of Beckham’s red card, Simeone conveyed a blend of pride and humility about the episode. He reflected,
Ten heroic Lions, one stupid boy,
referring to the intense scrutiny Beckham faced post-match. He commented,
That’s way over the top.
It’s not that it frightens me but it’s a wakeup call for everyone, including journalists. You have to be careful.
It was not just my fault. There’s a ref involved, too. I guess David had a torrid few months after that. The press were putting all the blame on him. I don’t think that was at all fair. He just made a mistake, an instinctive reaction.
Following their careers, the two were seen together in Miami during a friendly match, with Beckham affectionately writing,
Bumped into an old friend.
In that same year, while Argentina celebrated Maradona’s iconic second goal from 1986, Owen’s brilliant solo goal brought England back into the match at 2-1. Just 18 years old at the time, Owen reflected on his audacity during that play, with then-England manager Glenn Hoddle stating,
There was no fear in him whatsoever. When Michael turns, runs and beats the first couple of players, I remember thinking: “I love playing against the English,”s clean through!’
Becks [Beckham] played the initial ball to me and one of their midfielders was only a couple of yards away from me. I just thought that, if I took a good touch, I could run past him and start an attack.
He vividly recalled,
Oh my God – there’s a goal on here!
Simeone later admitted that Argentina had underestimated Owen, acknowledging,
He was a shock to us. He was only 18 and we hadn’t seen him play. It was a pleasant surprise for the fans [but] not for us.
Hoddle also commented on Beckham’s controversial red card, questioning the referee’s judgment:
I thought: “English football is always more open, aggressive and passionate. Whether you win or lose against English teams, you always feel it’s been a proper contest. The first time I played against them was at Wembley in 1991 …”, but suddenly the red came out. And I’m thinking: “I’ve still got a souvenir from Stuart Pearce from that day. Great game.” It was never in a million years a sending-off.
In another reflection, Simeone stated,
Sometimes you have to be a bit cunning and sometimes you play the fool. I happened to be the intelligent one. Beckham did nothing to me.
As the match progressed, Sol Campbell’s header appeared to secure a win for England, only to be disallowed for a foul on Shearer. Hoddle recalled,
It’s almost like I’m living it again. It’s so deep. It scarred me.
Owen described the nail-biting moment, saying,
How Argentina didn’t score from that was amazing. I think it was 11 against four!
Ultimately, England succumbed 4-3 in the penalty shootout, while the Argentine players celebrated their victory with exuberance. Gorman, Hoddle’s assistant, observed,
You could have been forgiven for mistaking them as fans. They were jumping up and down like madmen.
Simeone reflected on the significance of defeating England, stating,
Knocking out England, with all the history that goes with that, was a huge joy.
In 2002, the dynamic shifted as England claimed a 1-0 victory in Sapporo, with Beckham scoring a penalty awarded after Owen was fouled by Mauricio Pochettino. Pochettino humorously remarked,
For sure it was a dive.
I could have stayed on my feet, the defender’s caught me and I did have a decent gash down my shin from it – but I could have stayed up.
Both players acknowledged the complexity of Argentinian football, a blend of artistry and tactical ingenuity. Simeone, recalling Maradona’s brilliance, shared his childhood experiences:
In Argentina, when we played in the street as a kid we didn’t call it football. We call it jugar a la pelota [playing with the ball]. It’s prettier than football.
When Maradona scored the hand of God goal, my father shouted “It is the best international match I’ve played in,”. I told my dad: “They [England] were incredible that night. Alan Shearer and Paul Ince were extraordinary. At times it seemed Shearer was fighting us on his own. You have to remember they played for 70 minutes with 10 men.”s a good goal.’ But the second goal proved he was the greatest player in the world. That was jugar a la pelota.
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