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 15th meeting between the two countries (their 16th encounter if the unofficial 1953 warm-up is included), and the first since that 2005 friendly.

England vs Argentina Highlights 🌎🏆 2026 FIFA World Cup™ | Semifinals

Check out the full game highlights between England and Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup™. Announced by John Strong and Stu Holden.

The Three Matches Everyone Remembers

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

Diego Maradona scored twice in the quarterfinal in Mexico City, first with a blatant handball he later called "the Hand of God," then with a run through half of England's team that's still known as the "Goal of the Century." Argentina won, 2-1, and went on to win the tournament.

1998: Beckham's Red Card

David Beckham was sent off for a kick at Diego Simeone in the round of 16, leaving England to play a man down for more than an hour. The match finished 2-2 after extra time, and Argentina won on penalties, 4-3.

2002: Beckham's Redemption

Four years later, Beckham got the chance to put it right. He converted a penalty in England’s 1-0 group-stage victory, helping England advance while Argentina ultimately went home in the group stage.

2026: Argentina’s Late Comeback

England appeared headed to its first World Cup final since 1966 after Gordon scored in the 55th minute. The lead held until the closing minutes, when Fernández equalized in the 85th and Martínez headed in the winner at 90+2.

Argentina’s 2-1 victory secured a second consecutive World Cup final 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 Goals in Second Half, ADVANCING to FIFA World Cup™ Final

Enzo Fernández & Lautaro Martínez score two goals for Argentina to complete comeback against England.