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England v Argentina | World Cup Semi Final | 15 July 2026
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Argentina is fascinating for the Chacarera, the Tango, the Zamba and the Malambo.
It is also famous for Fray Bentos pies in tins.
And Welsh being the first, second or third language in Patagonia.
Sadly for me I would never visit Argentina because of the food, and I couldn’t afford it anyway.1 -
Don't forget the penalty in 2002 (Beckham)...not that it was particularly lucky.soapboxsam said:This isn't about a war that happened 44 years ago and lasted just shy of 10 weeks.
This is purely about football and the matches we have had against them and the drama that occurred in those games.
Beckham or Owen: Take your pick.
Or Maradona H.O.G which still wakes me up in the night every World cup since.
Ironically, Antonio Rattin died on Saturday at 89 and their Captain was sent off early doors against England in 66 despite the German strict referee not understanding his Spanish ! Maybe it was a hand gesture? The sending off was for contesting free kicks which you see hundreds of times in every match now; how the game has changed.
66 was probably the last time we had any luck against Argentina other than bad luck !
The majority of Argentinan people are decent folk.
The Falklands/Malvinas islands debate isn't for Charlton Life and the polarisation and adversarial words which would ensue.
Just about football ⚽1 -
The Maradona hand ball being the single greatest act of cheating at a world cup and somehow being accepted by the Argies as the hand of God is something i'll never be able to get past. Add to that Batistuta's nodding at Beck's red card and the general shit housing that their team is allowed to get away with. I hope we crush them.
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Along with many others, I always had a bit of hatred towards Maradona after 1986.
After seeing the excellent documentary about him, it did alter my opinion of him.
After moving to Napoli, he would be constantly hacked down every game and given no protection from the referees.
He was not allowed any sort of privacy and it's no wonder he ended up going off the rails.
Ended up feeling sorry for him after watching it.
Don't think Terry Butcher feels the same way though.
If you haven't seen it, it's a must watch for any football fan.4 -
I still maintain if that had been done by an English player like Gazza he'd be praised for being cheeky and it would be an iconic thing in this countryAllHailTheHen said:The Maradona hand ball being the single greatest act of cheating at a world cup and somehow being accepted by the Argies as the hand of God is something i'll never be able to get past. Add to that Batistuta's nodding at Beck's red card and the general shit housing that their team is allowed to get away with. I hope we crush them.3 -
Yes, same for me, only found this out about 6 months agobobmunro said:thai malaysia addick said:
And I thought Argentinians were famous for their beef.HastingsRed said:
The ones we met on our trip were fine, generally they were around our age or younger and had no beef with us being from England. Hope we can match their support (both vocally and in terms of numbers) on Wednesday.....though that won't be easy they always seem to have massive support.soapboxsam said:This isn't about a war that happened 44 years ago and lasted just shy of 10 weeks.
This is purely about football and the matches we have had against them and the drama that occurred in those games.
Beckham or Owen: Take your pick.
Or Maradona H.O.G which still wakes me up in the night every World cup since.
Ironically, Antonio Rattin died on Saturday at 89 and their Captain was sent off early doors against England in 66 despite the German strict referee not understanding his Spanish ! Maybe it was a hand gesture? The sending off was for contesting free kicks which you see hundreds of times in every match now; how the game has changed.
66 was probably the last time we had any luck against Argentina other than bad luck !
The majority of Argentinan people are decent folk.
The Falklands/Malvinas islands debate isn't for Charlton Life and the polarisation and adversarial words which would ensue.
Just about football ⚽
It blew my mind when I first saw the town Fray Bentos on a map of Argentina - I just thought it was the name of corned beef!0 -
Very true....sorry to be a bit of a wanker but Fray Bentos is in Uruguay.jose said:Argentina is fascinating for the Chacarera, the Tango, the Zamba and the Malambo.
It is also famous for Fray Bentos pies in tins.
And Welsh being the first, second or third language in Patagonia.
Sadly for me I would never visit Argentina because of the food, and I couldn’t afford it anyway.3 -
Twinned with Cannes?12
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No but it's a bugger to get intoiaitch said:Twinned with Cannes?2 -
This.AllHailTheHen said:The Maradona hand ball being the single greatest act of cheating at a world cup and somehow being accepted by the Argies as the hand of God is something i'll never be able to get past. Add to that Batistuta's nodding at Beck's red card and the general shit housing that their team is allowed to get away with. I hope we crush them.
I wasn't alive in 1966 but they have done the dirty on us in 2 separate World Cup knock out matches since then. If VAR was around in 1986 then THAT goal would never have stood and Beckham's sending off in 1998 would have been a yellow card.
Argentina, like Norway, rely on just one (admittedly world class) player. Nullify Messi & we have a good chance of winning.
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Not at all, glad to be corrected, after all it’s not the Battle of the River Plate.HastingsRed said:
Very true....sorry to be a bit of a wanker but Fray Bentos is in Uruguay.jose said:Argentina is fascinating for the Chacarera, the Tango, the Zamba and the Malambo.
It is also famous for Fray Bentos pies in tins.
And Welsh being the first, second or third language in Patagonia.
Sadly for me I would never visit Argentina because of the food, and I couldn’t afford it anyway.2 -
wasnt around in 1986, I disliked argentina after the 1998 simeone beckham incident and for that reason only!This team has some dislikeable characters as well like the centre back pairing.0
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I am old enough to clearly remember the Alf ‘animals’ accusation,0
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They're just lying, cheating, racist bastards, but I don't hate them.2
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We beat them in 90 mins.
Messi-aside, they've got no legs in midfield (Rice, Anderson & Bellingham) will be all over them.
Romero doesn't have any pace, not does the short arse at United. Get runners beyond Kane, they'll be in trouble.
The one thing that constantly worries me in the back four.
As much as O'Reilly offers more going forwards, I'd want Spence starting to keep an eye on Messi when he drifts out wide.
Interestingly, Romero has NEVER got a red card for Argentina. Who would have thought it?!
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The air-conditioned stadium is going to be a plus. It would be nice if FIFA didn't allow knockout games to played in environments that feel like 42 celsius. Everybody suffers.
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HastingsRed said:
Very true....sorry to be a bit of a wanker but Fray Bentos is in Uruguay.jose said:Argentina is fascinating for the Chacarera, the Tango, the Zamba and the Malambo.
It is also famous for Fray Bentos pies in tins.
And Welsh being the first, second or third language in Patagonia.
Sadly for me I would never visit Argentina because of the food, and I couldn’t afford it anyway.
This is correct.
Not only that but Fray Bentos has not only a football team, Fray Bentos Fútbol Club but the region has its own football league, the Liga Departamental de Fútbol de Río Negro, established in 1912, made up of 14 teams.
Football in Argentina owes a lot to the British and most Argentinian football fans have respect for our football as a result of that. Clubs like Newell’s Old Boys and River Plate were founded by the British.
There’s so much nonsense said about Argentina, all of it by people who’ve never been there, and should consider if Maradona and Simeone are good reasons to hate a nation.
I’ve played football over there several teams with a great bunch of guys ( generally 40 -50 year olds) and we all had a drink afterwards. The only thing I could possibly find to dislike about the people is their general disregard for safety, and lack of organisation. They have a very happy go lucky approach to life and are have a great solidarity between them, and this amazing inclusivity is extended to me. This and their love of football is their strength in international competitions.3 -
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lordromford said:
A few things to clear up from my side (yes i - just about - remember the 80s).
- There isn't a single country in the world I hate. Argentina included.
- There is a FOOTBALL team I strong dislike. Argentina. Because history has shown them to be spawny cheating rats whenever they play us. Thats not opinion - the facts are there. And they shouldnt have to do that, when you look at some of the players they have had over the years.
- And do they hate us as a country? Well I think a greater percentage of their population does than we would do to them. And does it affect a football game? It shouldn't do - but I think it does from their side. The chants from the fans, the players chanting and holding up banners. It is a problem because I think it has a major impact on WHY they play the way they do against us.2 -
Completely and utterly disagree.fenaddick said:
I still maintain if that had been done by an English player like Gazza he'd be praised for being cheeky and it would be an iconic thing in this countryAllHailTheHen said:The Maradona hand ball being the single greatest act of cheating at a world cup and somehow being accepted by the Argies as the hand of God is something i'll never be able to get past. Add to that Batistuta's nodding at Beck's red card and the general shit housing that their team is allowed to get away with. I hope we crush them.
I can hear Jimmy Hill now, saying it's just not cricket & what a terrible way to win. And most would agree.
Genuinely think it's odd that someone can be born and raised in a country and so completely not understand it's character or mentality.8 -
Pickford
James Konsa/Stones Guehi O’Reilly
Rice Anderson
Saka Bellingham Gordon
Kane
If we play that I feel very confident. Sure it up with Spence and Burn late on if we have a lead.
I really don’t want to see Eze again. Doesn’t seem to fit in this system anywhere. Rogers gives us that threat from distance too.
The only decision is between Konsa and Stones. Both would be unlucky to be left out, but I thought Stones and Guehi did very well against Haaland.3 -
Our very own Ezri (am I allowed to say that?) has served England with distinction so far in this World Cup.
For me a source of delight.3 -
I agree with 99.9pc of what you post, but that is miles off.fenaddick said:
I still maintain if that had been done by an English player like Gazza he'd be praised for being cheeky and it would be an iconic thing in this countryAllHailTheHen said:The Maradona hand ball being the single greatest act of cheating at a world cup and somehow being accepted by the Argies as the hand of God is something i'll never be able to get past. Add to that Batistuta's nodding at Beck's red card and the general shit housing that their team is allowed to get away with. I hope we crush them.
1 - It wouldnt have happened in the first place - it just not how young players are raised here.
2 - Especially nowadays, they would end up getting frozen out for the rest of their career.
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None of those in England of course!Return of the SE7 said:They're just lying, cheating, racist bastards, but I don't hate them.4 -
England fans : Should win, Argentina have not looked very good versus Austria, Cape Verde, Egypt and Switzerland
Argentina fans : Should win, England have not looked very good versus Ghana, Panama, DR Congo, Norway
too close to call but gonna call it anyway
England reach the final of World Cup 20261 -
agree with this, I wouldn't mind seeing Rashford start in place of Saka - really don't think he's at the races and clearly isn't fitLaddick01 said:Pickford
James Konsa/Stones Guehi O’Reilly
Rice Anderson
Saka Bellingham Gordon
Kane
If we play that I feel very confident. Sure it up with Spence and Burn late on if we have a lead.
I really don’t want to see Eze again. Doesn’t seem to fit in this system anywhere. Rogers gives us that threat from distance too.
The only decision is between Konsa and Stones. Both would be unlucky to be left out, but I thought Stones and Guehi did very well against Haaland.1 -
We got lucky against Norway, in previous tournaments with no VAR, they probably go 2–0 up and win the match.
Now we have goal line technology and VAR, perhaps it’s our turn to have things go our way.
I said to my sons we’ve missed a generation winning a trophy since 1966, we are long overdue a win.
I really hope we can beat the Argies, just hope we’ve got a strong ref.3 -
ValleyLocal said:
Completely and utterly disagree.fenaddick said:
I still maintain if that had been done by an English player like Gazza he'd be praised for being cheeky and it would be an iconic thing in this countryAllHailTheHen said:The Maradona hand ball being the single greatest act of cheating at a world cup and somehow being accepted by the Argies as the hand of God is something i'll never be able to get past. Add to that Batistuta's nodding at Beck's red card and the general shit housing that their team is allowed to get away with. I hope we crush them.
I can hear Jimmy Hill now, saying it's just not cricket & what a terrible way to win. And most would agree.
Genuinely think it's odd that someone can be born and raised in a country and so completely not understand it's character or mentality.
I think we're a nation who love a sly bit of cheating, just not in the way that the South Americans or Europeans do. We don't like diving but we love when a player goes too hard or too late into a tackle. It's why we loved Dobbo and Man Utd fans loved Roy Keane. We all want Miles Leaburn to start "using his body" aka fouling his opponent in a way the ref doesn't see. A cynical foul to stop a counter attack will get praised and most of the crowd telling the ref he's an idiot and nothing happened. Admittedly, we seem to like cheating when it makes you look hard but this idea that we're holier than thou is nonsense.DamoNorthStand said:
I agree with 99.9pc of what you post, but that is miles off.fenaddick said:
I still maintain if that had been done by an English player like Gazza he'd be praised for being cheeky and it would be an iconic thing in this countryAllHailTheHen said:The Maradona hand ball being the single greatest act of cheating at a world cup and somehow being accepted by the Argies as the hand of God is something i'll never be able to get past. Add to that Batistuta's nodding at Beck's red card and the general shit housing that their team is allowed to get away with. I hope we crush them.
1 - It wouldnt have happened in the first place - it just not how young players are raised here.
2 - Especially nowadays, they would end up getting frozen out for the rest of their career.
Of course it wouldn't happen in the modern day Damo, it would be ruled out by VAR and an incredibly dumb thing to do. I don't think the modern day Argentinian's would do it either.
I'm not saying I like cheating or like that Maradonna did it and got away with it. I just think that there are people of all nationalities and who play all sports that like to push the line in the hope of victory0






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