Michael Owen vividly recalls the deep-seated animosity and high stakes of matches between England and Argentina, describing the contest as a "battlefield" that has significantly impacted his career. His reflections come as England potentially faces Argentina in a crucial World Cup match, a scenario that evokes strong memories of past encounters.
Owen's understanding of the rivalry intensified after England's 1998 World Cup exit. While only 18 at the time, he was aware of the historical context, including the Falklands War and Diego Maradona's infamous "Hand of God" goal from 1986. However, it was the emotional aftermath of the 1998 penalty shootout loss that truly cemented the rivalry's significance for him.
He described the dejection on the England team bus as they witnessed the jubilant Argentina players celebrating next to them. It was then that Alan Shearer's words resonated: "Some of you will be lucky enough to play that mob again. Just remember this, remember this moment." This admonishment served as a powerful motivator for the future.
Four years later, at the 2002 World Cup, Owen felt the sting of that past defeat. He recounts a pivotal moment when he drew a penalty from Mauricio Pochettino, which David Beckham converted. Owen acknowledges that while there was contact, he "accepted the invitation" to go down. He views this not as a dive, but as a strategic play in a high-stakes match, noting that the challenge drew blood. This penalty ultimately led to Argentina's early exit from the tournament, a moment Owen describes as retribution for the 1998 loss.
Years later, during an interview with Pochettino, Owen discovered the former Argentina defender did not share his sense of humor about the incident, highlighting the differing perspectives on such contentious moments.
The rivalry continued in a 2005 friendly, which Owen described as one of the best non-competitive fixtures he ever played. Despite its unofficial status, the match was intensely fought, with England ultimately winning 3-2. Owen scored a last-minute winner in that game, capping off what he considered a "mini series" victory against Argentina.
As England faces the prospect of playing Argentina again, Owen believes the current generation, led by players like Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, will approach the game with a similar mindset to his own in 1998. He suggests that the immediate pressure of a World Cup knockout match provides ample motivation, overshadowing historical grievances or external narratives. For these players, the focus is on the present opportunity to make their own history, rather than settling past scores.
"This is about the here and now," Owen stated. "Remembering the Argentina rivalry has been fun this week, and it’s very real, never doubt that. But for these boys now it’s about shaping the future, not correcting the past."