Unbelievable as it may seem, it's now ten years since England met Argentina in their extraordinary second round clash at the World Cup in France. It was on June 30th 1998 in Saint Etienne that Europe and South America clashed in what would become an anarchic roller coaster ride for 120 minutes.
Argentina triumphed on penalties of course. But lurking beneath the surface of this encounter were two centuries of history, coupled with Argentina's complex and schizophrenic relationship with England, South America and Europe.
A few years ago, 'The Observer Sport Monthly' carried a thought-provoking article from the journalist John Carlin, who had lived in Argentina for 10 years. In the piece 'England v Argentina - A History' , the author provides a deeply fascinating insight into the background of what is arguably international football's most intense fixture.
From an English perspective the rivalry doesn't travel back too far in time. Think 1966, and England's infamous quarter-final encounter with Argentina, a match littered with niggling fouls.
There were two defining moments from that game: Rattin, the captain who refused to leave the pitch for 10 minutes after being sent-off; and England manager Alf Ramsey publicly referring to the South Americans as 'animals'. His fate was sealed in Latin America, especially as he prevented his players from swapping shirts after the match.
That England statistically committed more fouls than their opponents that afternoon has been conveniently forgotten.
Since 1966, England's games with Argentina have invariably been controversial, and when the Falklands factor is brought into the equation the tabloid storm intensifies, whipping the fans into a passionate fervour that few other rivalries can generate.
Diego Maradona in Mexico '86 didn't exactly help matters either...
WHY IT HURTS
The 'classico' seems to matter far more to Argentines than it does to the English, and there are four major factors which contribute to this.
A sense of displacement: Argentines often describe themselves as living 'at the arsehole of the world'. By that they pour out their frustration over what they see as their geographic isolation from Europe, especially since so many Argentines are of Italian descent. Thus, they see the game against England as a kind of 'European' rivalry.
Historical resentment: This is passed down from the conquistadors who were the original colonisers. Upset at losing their wealth and top-dog status as the world's foremost empire, they referred to the English as 'pirates'. This is still a common term of abuse today. Throw in the British 'invasions' of Beunos Aires in 1806 and 1807, plus the more recent Falklands conflict, and you are mixing an industrial alcohol cocktail.
Another factor which arouses bitterness is the social origin of the game in Beunos Aires. When the British imported football and started playing in an organised manner, they excluded the locals. Although the indigenous inhabitants of the capital would make the sport their own over time, the offence that the British expats caused has not been forgotten. Victory over England is comparable to the pupils teaching the masters a bloody lesson.
And then there is the passion. An overused word no doubt, but note what Carlin's article highlights:
"You see it in the crowds. The fans are not as passionate in Spain, Italy or Germany. They don't go to away matches in anything like the same numbers. And, talking of blood, they spill more of it in England and Argentina where football violence has traditionally been greater than anywhere else, where - even when there is no violence - you look at fans' faces during a game and you sense that the feelings they are experiencing during those 90 minutes are the one truly significant thing in their lives.
And for both countries that passion is intensified at international level, whereas in Spain and Italy regional rivalries dissipate the commitment to the national sides"
So now we can better appreciate just why an Argentina - England encounter is greeted with such relish and enthusiasm in the 'bottom' of the world.
Yet somewhere out there in the South Atlantic lies that mythical line between love and hate, resentment and attachment. For as much as the Argentines resent the English, they also admire them and their way of life. Many of the wealthier families could be said to be 'more English than the English'. Not a lifestyle conducive to the barrios though, and surely one that will fade over time.
I'm almost certain that we'll come back to this topic in the future. Until then, here's a reminder of that WC game in '98, as the students provided yet another sobering lesson for the teachers. Especially how to win on penalties.
Argentina v England '98
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