Argentina–England football rivalry

This sporting rivalry gained its notable status through several high-profile football matches, most famously the 1986 and 1998 FIFA World Cup meetings. The 1986 quarter-final featured Diego Maradona's controversial "Hand of God" goal alongside his spectacular solo effort, while the 1998 match saw a dramatic penalty shootout. These historic encounters have cemented the fixture as one of international football's most watched and emotionally charged rivalries.

Recently, the England vs Argentina matchup has appeared in news headlines regarding their rugby union contests. Multiple media outlets have covered live international matches between the nations' rugby teams as part of the Autumn Nations Series in late 2025. These reports indicate ongoing athletic competition between England and Argentina across different sporting codes, maintaining public interest in their sporting rivalry beyond football.

The continued prominence of this rivalry across multiple sports demonstrates its enduring significance in international athletics. While football remains the cornerstone of the competition, regular high-stakes matches in other sports like rugby ensure the England vs Argentina fixture remains relevant in contemporary sports coverage, attracting significant media attention and global viewership whenever the two nations meet.