Episode Details
Back to Episodes
Why England v Argentina is about so much more than football
Description
Forget the “Hand of God”, David Beckham’s red card or even the Falklands war – the relationship between England and Argentina is so much more complicated than that.
On the pitch, it’s one of the great footballing rivalries – defined by Diego Maradona’s antics at the Azteca and Beckham’s redemption from villain to hero.
Off it, the two countries share a complex history. The dispute over the Falklands remains at the core of the Argentine psyche, but so too does a love of British music, sport and even red post boxes.
Now, the old rivals are set to meet once more for a place in the World Cup final. So why does this fixture feel so different?
Niall Paterson is joined by the writer, broadcaster and author of Angels With Dirty Faces, a history of the Argentinian game, Jonathan Wilson.
Have you got a question for Niall? Email us: why@sky.uk