Tonight’s visceral England v Argentina World Cup semi-final is going to break a million hearts – whatever the result.
In the words of legendary Liverpool F.C. manager Bill Shankly: “Football? It’s more than a matter of life or death.” Or in the pithy observation of Sir Alex Fergusson: “Football, bloody football.”
The markets are betting on a humdinger as these two ancient footballing enemies limber up for what will no doubt be a titanic struggle for the privilege of facing Spain in Sunday’s FIFA 2026 World Cup final in the New York New Jersey stadium.
This rivalry goes back to 1966 when the then-England Manager (Sir) Alf Ramsey infamously described the South Americans as “animals” following a brutal, gladiatorial contest at Wembley in a World Cup 1-0 quarter-final loss to the eventual winners.
Animals
The game saw some 56 fouls committed by both sides in the regulation 90-minutes.
Blessed England committed 36 of those fouls.
But it was the hulking Argentine captain Antonio Rattin, sent off in the 35th minute by German referee Rudolf Kreitlein, who forever became the ugly face of foul play despoiling the so-called beautiful game.
And it was the controversy surrounding his expulsion–with Rattin refusing to leave the field of play for several minutes-that later prompted FIFA to introduce yellow and red cards for future tournaments.
Savage Contests
Forever after all Argentina-England football games–further hypercharged by the real 1982 Falklands/Malvinas War–have become savage contests defined by cheating and the footballing dark arts, most notably featuring Diego Maradona’s schizoid master class in Mexico’s Azteca Stadium in 1986, in yet another World Cup quarter-final.
And not forgetting David Beckham’s red card–engineered by current Athletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone–in a last 16 tie of the France 1998 Mundial.
Beckham was vilified for his stupidity, crucified by the redtop press and effigies of the English “goldenballs” were hung from village pubs up and down the land.
All very difficult to reconcile with his current status as football knight and billionaire; although–unlike the late, great ‘66 captain, Sir Bobby Moore, the most he’s won is the Champions League.
Penalties
Betfair Predicts there is at least a 20 percent chance of at least one player from either team being sent off in tonight’s game, with a 21 percent chance that the match will be settled by penalties.
Sky Bet and Paddy Power are both offering England at 13/8 to win and Argentina at 2/1.
The in-play markets between arguably planet football’s fiercest international rivals are limitless.
A fraction, a foul, a goal of sporting immortality will settle it.
Buckle up. Whichever way you cut it, it’s going to be a frenzied ride!
