England will face Argentina in a World Cup semi-final at World Cup 2026, renewing a fierce rivalry between the two nations.
For the first time in 24 years, England will take on Argentina at the World Cup. The upcoming semi-final is the biggest ever clash between the two countries, a rivalry packed with history.
England were cheated by Argentina in the quarter-finals at World Cup 1986, before being eliminated on penalties in 1998 in a last 16 game, notorious for David Beckham‘s red card.
The last time the teams met at the tournament was in 2002, where three Manchester United players played a key role in defeating Argentina.
United have two players at the tournament in 2026, Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo, but they have been consigned to back-up roles.
In 2002 there were three starters in Sven-Goran Eriksson’s England side. Here is a look at how each of them fared in the epic group stage showdown in Sapporo, Japan.
David Beckham
England had begun the 2002 tournament with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Sweden, while Argentina had defeated Nigeria 1-0. Sweden then beat Nigeria 2-1 to place England under added pressure to get a result against Argentina.
For David Beckham, pressure was something he was used to. Beckham was the subject of nationwide backlash after his red card in 1998, blamed for the team’s exit and forced to run a gauntlet of hate at every away ground the subsequent season.
By 2002, Beckham had answered his critics, leading Manchester United to three Premier League titles in four years and one Champions League trophy. He was voted into second place in the Ballon d’Or in 1999 behind Rivaldo. He scored the goal that booked England’s place in the World Cup with a free-kick against Greece in the qualifiers, confirming his hero status.
Unfortunately the build-up to the tournament was not easy for Beckham. He was scythed down by Argentine midfielder Aldo Duscher in Manchester United’s Champions League clash with Deportivo La Coruna.
Beckham broke a metatarsal bone in his foot and faced a race against time simply to make the World Cup, and he was not at 100 per cent.
Against Argentina, Beckham gave absolutely everything with a legendary performance that proved cathartic in terms of his redemption.
Beckham’s opportunity to settle an old score came when England were awarded a 44th minute penalty.
As a player renowned for whipping the ball with deadeye accuracy into the top corner from outside the box, Beckham decided to switch strategy and go for pure pace and power with his spot-kick.
Beckham struck the ball fast and low down the centre of the goal, narrowly to the left of goalkeeper Pablo Cavallero, who was wrong-footed.
Objectively it wasn’t a great penalty but it went in and that was all that mattered. Beckham celebrated wildly, unleashing four years of pent up emotion.
Beckham had an opportunity to grab another goal in the second half when he dispossessed Diego Placente before lashing the ball wide with his right foot from a tight angle, when it might have been easier to shoot with his left.
England were left clinging on by the end but fully deserved the win, going on to draw the final match with Nigeria to secure qualification.
Beckham’s redemption was complete, and he had a couple of Manchester United teammates to thank too.
What is your most memorable David Beckham World Cup moment?
Paul Scholes
Paul Scholes was one of the best midfielders England ever produced and his international career showed real promise under Glenn Hoddle and then Kevin Keegan.
Sven-Goran Eriksson’s appointment coincided with the emergence of more midfield options. Owen Hargreaves, Steven Gerrard, and later Frank Lampard and the underutilised Michael Carrick.
While none of these players had the adaptability to shift out to play out wide, Scholes did, and it was to his detriment. It hurt his England career and the Three Lions.
An injury in the 19th minute to Owen Hargreaves vs Argentina saw Trevor Sinclair come off the bench, and Scholes switched from the left to settle into his preferred central midfield role.
In this fixture, Scholes may have delivered his finest tournament performance for England, helping to run the midfield against high-quality opposition.
Two particular moments from Scholes stood out in this game in the second half. One was a rasping volley from outside the box that drew a strong save from Cavallero.
Another standout was an immaculate cross-field pass for substitute Teddy Sheringham to volley at goal, forcing the goalkeeper into another good save. It was the type of ball only Scholes could see, let alone execute.
The Guardian‘s match report paid tribute to his performance, writing: “Last night Scholes’s feet talked louder than in any of his previous 45 caps.”
Scholes’ combination of passing and bite was perfect to see off Argentina. It was a performance that showed he should have been the central midfielder England build the team around for years to come.
England’s defeat in 1998 had also hit Scholes hard. He missed a chance with England 2-1 up in that game in the first half. While this match was a case of redemption for Beckham, it was also a very happy one for Scholes to be a part of.
He said after the game: “It feels very good, and I’m delighted for David Beckham to get the goal after what happened four years ago.”
Nicky Butt
Nicky Butt only played in one World Cup for England, and he made sure to leave his mark. Butt was the big surprise for England in 2002, earning praise from Brazilian icon Pele as the team’s key player.
After missing the opener against Sweden due to injury, Butt was recalled for the crunch game against Argentina and he delivered.
Butt was able to strike up a familiar midfield club partnership with Scholes in the middle of the park, with Beckham roaming on the right. In a tight, must-win game with a real edge, the combination of quality with trust and teamwork was vital.
Scholes paid tribute to his teammate after the match, telling BBC Sport: “Nicky Butt was magnificent. He hasn’t played for five weeks, and to play like that was brilliant – he was just marvellous.
“For some reason a lot of people are surprised at the way he’s playing, but anyone who knows him or has played with him knows what a great player he is.”
So often overshadowed by Beckham and Scholes, this was Butt’s chance in the national spotlight, and he was determined to seize the moment. He was a destroyer in midfield, providing the grit and effectiveness that this spiky fixture with Argentina required.
David Beckham lauded: “We have all known for years how good Nicky is, he just needed the chance.”
“He has got his chance now and everyone can see how good he is. Everyone who has played with him will tell you that.
“Nicky keeps things ticking over in midfield, and he was unbelievable against Argentina. He won tackles and some of the passes he played through were very important.”
Also of note: Five other Man Utd players past or future were in the 2002 squad
- Rio Ferdinand: A rock at the back, Ferdinand signed for Manchester United in July 2002 after the tournament.
- Teddy Sheringham: A second half substitute for Emile Heskey, Treble-winner Sheringham had left United in 2001 to rejoin Tottenham.
- Wes Brown: United academy graduate Wes Brown was an unused substitute at the tournament for England.
- Owen Hargreaves: Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves later signed for Manchester United in 2007.
- Michael Owen: Won the penalty for David Beckham’s winner. Owen was a key Liverpool player at the time, later joining United on a free transfer in 2009.
Man Utd Argentina representatives 2002 and 2026
Juan Sebastian Veron (2002): In 1998 Juan Sebastian Veron was a key player in the Argentina team that defeated England, and scored his penalty in the shootout. His experience in 2002 was miserable by comparison.
Coming off a challenging debut year at United, Veron looked lost in Marcelo Bielsa’s system in 2002, with Argentina more dysfunctional and falling at the group stages.
While his Manchester United teammates ran the show in midfield for England, Veron was hooked at half-time in Argentina’s 1-0 defeat.
Lisandro Martinez (2026): While Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford will be on the bench for England in the semi-final, one Manchester United player will start the game.
Lisandro Martinez will start for Argentina in defence, and he has had a fantastic tournament so far to help them reach the last four. Martinez has been a threat in the opposition box, and he would love to return to England as a villain after knocking the Three Lions out.
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