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Deadspin | Deep Mets forge ahead without Juan Soto, open series vs. D-backs  Mar 28, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens (13) hits an RBI single against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the tenth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images   The New York Mets have scored 23 runs and earned a trio of lopsided wins since Juan Soto exited with a right calf strain in the first inning of Friday night’s game against the San Francisco Giants.  Now the Mets just need to figure out how to maintain that Soto-less surge for the next two or three weeks.  The Mets will play their first game without Soto on the active roster Tuesday afternoon, when they host the Arizona Diamondbacks in the opener of a three-game series.  Freddy Peralta (1-0, 4.35 ERA) is slated to start for the Mets against Zac Gallen (1-1, 3.60 ERA) in a battle of right-handers.  The first two games of the three-game series were each moved to 4:10 p.m. from 7:10 p.m. due to expected cold and windy conditions in New York.  Both teams were off Monday after earning wins Sunday, when the Mets came back to beat the host San Francisco Giants 5-2 and the Diamondbacks edged the visiting Atlanta Braves 6-5 in 10 innings.  Soto, who was injured running from first to third on Bo Bichette’s single, was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday, retroactive to Saturday. The Mets said the timetable for his injury is two to three weeks. The stint on the injured list is the first for Soto since April 20 through May 3, 2021, when he was sidelined due to a strained left shoulder as a member of the Washington Nationals.  The sight of Soto exiting the field Friday seemed to be another troubling turn of events for the Mets, who started the season 3-4. But New York rolled a 10-3 win Friday before cruising to a 9-0 win Saturday, when Tyrone Taylor hit a pinch-hit three-run homer in place of Jared Young, who started in left instead of Soto.  Young went 3-for-3 while patrolling left field Sunday, and pinch hitter Luis Torrens hit the go-ahead two-run double in the eighth to lift the doubly short-handed Mets to a 5-2 victory.   Torrens, the Mets’ backup catcher, was pressed into duty as the last player off the bench because Brett Baty was scratched due to a jammed left thumb.  “We have got good players up and down,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “We’re dealing with a few guys that have injuries and we’re feeling really good, not only with the guys that are in the lineup who are getting to play more but on the bench as well. There’s a lot of versatility.”  The Diamondbacks also exited the weekend feeling better about themselves after recording a pair of wins to salvage a split of the four-game series with the Braves and finish 5-2 on their first homestand of the season.  Arizona, which was outscored 19-2 in losses Thursday and Friday, earned a 2-1 win Saturday before Ketel Marte laced the walk-off RBI double leading off the 10th Sunday, after Jonathan Loaisiga blew a ninth-inning save opportunity.  Loaisiga’s struggles were a rare blip for Diamondbacks relievers, who allowed two runs (one earned) over 9 1/3 innings Saturday and Sunday. A quartet of pitchers combined to retire the final 12 batters Saturday and preserve the win for Michael Soroka.  “Going 5-2 with an offense that’s kind of struggling a little bit … we got pitching-heavy in those wins and that carried us,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said.  Peralta didn’t factor into the decision last Wednesday, when he allowed one run over 5 1/3 innings as the Mets fell to the St. Louis Cardinals 2-1 in 11 innings. Gallen earned the win last Wednesday after tossing six scoreless innings in the Diamondbacks’ 1-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers.  Peralta is 4-0 with a 1.35 ERA in six career games (four starts) against the Diamondbacks. Gallen is 2-2 with a 3.07 ERA in nine starts against the Mets.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Deep #Mets #forge #ahead #Juan #Soto #open #series #Dbacks

Deadspin | Deep Mets forge ahead without Juan Soto, open series vs. D-backs
Deadspin | Deep Mets forge ahead without Juan Soto, open series vs. D-backs  Mar 28, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens (13) hits an RBI single against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the tenth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images   The New York Mets have scored 23 runs and earned a trio of lopsided wins since Juan Soto exited with a right calf strain in the first inning of Friday night’s game against the San Francisco Giants.  Now the Mets just need to figure out how to maintain that Soto-less surge for the next two or three weeks.  The Mets will play their first game without Soto on the active roster Tuesday afternoon, when they host the Arizona Diamondbacks in the opener of a three-game series.  Freddy Peralta (1-0, 4.35 ERA) is slated to start for the Mets against Zac Gallen (1-1, 3.60 ERA) in a battle of right-handers.  The first two games of the three-game series were each moved to 4:10 p.m. from 7:10 p.m. due to expected cold and windy conditions in New York.  Both teams were off Monday after earning wins Sunday, when the Mets came back to beat the host San Francisco Giants 5-2 and the Diamondbacks edged the visiting Atlanta Braves 6-5 in 10 innings.  Soto, who was injured running from first to third on Bo Bichette’s single, was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday, retroactive to Saturday. The Mets said the timetable for his injury is two to three weeks. The stint on the injured list is the first for Soto since April 20 through May 3, 2021, when he was sidelined due to a strained left shoulder as a member of the Washington Nationals.  The sight of Soto exiting the field Friday seemed to be another troubling turn of events for the Mets, who started the season 3-4. But New York rolled a 10-3 win Friday before cruising to a 9-0 win Saturday, when Tyrone Taylor hit a pinch-hit three-run homer in place of Jared Young, who started in left instead of Soto.  Young went 3-for-3 while patrolling left field Sunday, and pinch hitter Luis Torrens hit the go-ahead two-run double in the eighth to lift the doubly short-handed Mets to a 5-2 victory.   Torrens, the Mets’ backup catcher, was pressed into duty as the last player off the bench because Brett Baty was scratched due to a jammed left thumb.  “We have got good players up and down,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “We’re dealing with a few guys that have injuries and we’re feeling really good, not only with the guys that are in the lineup who are getting to play more but on the bench as well. There’s a lot of versatility.”  The Diamondbacks also exited the weekend feeling better about themselves after recording a pair of wins to salvage a split of the four-game series with the Braves and finish 5-2 on their first homestand of the season.  Arizona, which was outscored 19-2 in losses Thursday and Friday, earned a 2-1 win Saturday before Ketel Marte laced the walk-off RBI double leading off the 10th Sunday, after Jonathan Loaisiga blew a ninth-inning save opportunity.  Loaisiga’s struggles were a rare blip for Diamondbacks relievers, who allowed two runs (one earned) over 9 1/3 innings Saturday and Sunday. A quartet of pitchers combined to retire the final 12 batters Saturday and preserve the win for Michael Soroka.  “Going 5-2 with an offense that’s kind of struggling a little bit … we got pitching-heavy in those wins and that carried us,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said.  Peralta didn’t factor into the decision last Wednesday, when he allowed one run over 5 1/3 innings as the Mets fell to the St. Louis Cardinals 2-1 in 11 innings. Gallen earned the win last Wednesday after tossing six scoreless innings in the Diamondbacks’ 1-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers.  Peralta is 4-0 with a 1.35 ERA in six career games (four starts) against the Diamondbacks. Gallen is 2-2 with a 3.07 ERA in nine starts against the Mets.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Deep #Mets #forge #ahead #Juan #Soto #open #series #DbacksMar 28, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens (13) hits an RBI single against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the tenth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

The New York Mets have scored 23 runs and earned a trio of lopsided wins since Juan Soto exited with a right calf strain in the first inning of Friday night’s game against the San Francisco Giants.

Now the Mets just need to figure out how to maintain that Soto-less surge for the next two or three weeks.

The Mets will play their first game without Soto on the active roster Tuesday afternoon, when they host the Arizona Diamondbacks in the opener of a three-game series.

Freddy Peralta (1-0, 4.35 ERA) is slated to start for the Mets against Zac Gallen (1-1, 3.60 ERA) in a battle of right-handers.

The first two games of the three-game series were each moved to 4:10 p.m. from 7:10 p.m. due to expected cold and windy conditions in New York.

Both teams were off Monday after earning wins Sunday, when the Mets came back to beat the host San Francisco Giants 5-2 and the Diamondbacks edged the visiting Atlanta Braves 6-5 in 10 innings.

Soto, who was injured running from first to third on Bo Bichette’s single, was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday, retroactive to Saturday. The Mets said the timetable for his injury is two to three weeks. The stint on the injured list is the first for Soto since April 20 through May 3, 2021, when he was sidelined due to a strained left shoulder as a member of the Washington Nationals.

The sight of Soto exiting the field Friday seemed to be another troubling turn of events for the Mets, who started the season 3-4. But New York rolled a 10-3 win Friday before cruising to a 9-0 win Saturday, when Tyrone Taylor hit a pinch-hit three-run homer in place of Jared Young, who started in left instead of Soto.


Young went 3-for-3 while patrolling left field Sunday, and pinch hitter Luis Torrens hit the go-ahead two-run double in the eighth to lift the doubly short-handed Mets to a 5-2 victory.

Torrens, the Mets’ backup catcher, was pressed into duty as the last player off the bench because Brett Baty was scratched due to a jammed left thumb.

“We have got good players up and down,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “We’re dealing with a few guys that have injuries and we’re feeling really good, not only with the guys that are in the lineup who are getting to play more but on the bench as well. There’s a lot of versatility.”

The Diamondbacks also exited the weekend feeling better about themselves after recording a pair of wins to salvage a split of the four-game series with the Braves and finish 5-2 on their first homestand of the season.

Arizona, which was outscored 19-2 in losses Thursday and Friday, earned a 2-1 win Saturday before Ketel Marte laced the walk-off RBI double leading off the 10th Sunday, after Jonathan Loaisiga blew a ninth-inning save opportunity.

Loaisiga’s struggles were a rare blip for Diamondbacks relievers, who allowed two runs (one earned) over 9 1/3 innings Saturday and Sunday. A quartet of pitchers combined to retire the final 12 batters Saturday and preserve the win for Michael Soroka.

“Going 5-2 with an offense that’s kind of struggling a little bit … we got pitching-heavy in those wins and that carried us,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said.

Peralta didn’t factor into the decision last Wednesday, when he allowed one run over 5 1/3 innings as the Mets fell to the St. Louis Cardinals 2-1 in 11 innings. Gallen earned the win last Wednesday after tossing six scoreless innings in the Diamondbacks’ 1-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers.

Peralta is 4-0 with a 1.35 ERA in six career games (four starts) against the Diamondbacks. Gallen is 2-2 with a 3.07 ERA in nine starts against the Mets.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Deep #Mets #forge #ahead #Juan #Soto #open #series #Dbacks

Mar 28, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens (13) hits an RBI single against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the tenth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

The New York Mets have scored 23 runs and earned a trio of lopsided wins since Juan Soto exited with a right calf strain in the first inning of Friday night’s game against the San Francisco Giants.

Now the Mets just need to figure out how to maintain that Soto-less surge for the next two or three weeks.

The Mets will play their first game without Soto on the active roster Tuesday afternoon, when they host the Arizona Diamondbacks in the opener of a three-game series.

Freddy Peralta (1-0, 4.35 ERA) is slated to start for the Mets against Zac Gallen (1-1, 3.60 ERA) in a battle of right-handers.

The first two games of the three-game series were each moved to 4:10 p.m. from 7:10 p.m. due to expected cold and windy conditions in New York.

Both teams were off Monday after earning wins Sunday, when the Mets came back to beat the host San Francisco Giants 5-2 and the Diamondbacks edged the visiting Atlanta Braves 6-5 in 10 innings.

Soto, who was injured running from first to third on Bo Bichette’s single, was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday, retroactive to Saturday. The Mets said the timetable for his injury is two to three weeks. The stint on the injured list is the first for Soto since April 20 through May 3, 2021, when he was sidelined due to a strained left shoulder as a member of the Washington Nationals.

The sight of Soto exiting the field Friday seemed to be another troubling turn of events for the Mets, who started the season 3-4. But New York rolled a 10-3 win Friday before cruising to a 9-0 win Saturday, when Tyrone Taylor hit a pinch-hit three-run homer in place of Jared Young, who started in left instead of Soto.

Young went 3-for-3 while patrolling left field Sunday, and pinch hitter Luis Torrens hit the go-ahead two-run double in the eighth to lift the doubly short-handed Mets to a 5-2 victory.

Torrens, the Mets’ backup catcher, was pressed into duty as the last player off the bench because Brett Baty was scratched due to a jammed left thumb.

“We have got good players up and down,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “We’re dealing with a few guys that have injuries and we’re feeling really good, not only with the guys that are in the lineup who are getting to play more but on the bench as well. There’s a lot of versatility.”

The Diamondbacks also exited the weekend feeling better about themselves after recording a pair of wins to salvage a split of the four-game series with the Braves and finish 5-2 on their first homestand of the season.

Arizona, which was outscored 19-2 in losses Thursday and Friday, earned a 2-1 win Saturday before Ketel Marte laced the walk-off RBI double leading off the 10th Sunday, after Jonathan Loaisiga blew a ninth-inning save opportunity.

Loaisiga’s struggles were a rare blip for Diamondbacks relievers, who allowed two runs (one earned) over 9 1/3 innings Saturday and Sunday. A quartet of pitchers combined to retire the final 12 batters Saturday and preserve the win for Michael Soroka.

“Going 5-2 with an offense that’s kind of struggling a little bit … we got pitching-heavy in those wins and that carried us,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said.

Peralta didn’t factor into the decision last Wednesday, when he allowed one run over 5 1/3 innings as the Mets fell to the St. Louis Cardinals 2-1 in 11 innings. Gallen earned the win last Wednesday after tossing six scoreless innings in the Diamondbacks’ 1-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers.

Peralta is 4-0 with a 1.35 ERA in six career games (four starts) against the Diamondbacks. Gallen is 2-2 with a 3.07 ERA in nine starts against the Mets.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Deep #Mets #forge #ahead #Juan #Soto #open #series #Dbacks

Scotland’s time in the 2026 World Cup may have been short-lived, but the fans’ effect on Boston will live on for a long, long time. Visitors took over the city, integrated themselves to their hosts, and had an absolute ball during the group stage of the tournament. Now some of them are back, for the best reason imaginable.

A handful of Scotland fans have returned, with a traffic cone adorned in designs that honor Boston. It was created by a fan/artist who fell in love with scenes of Scottish fans in Boston, with the traffic cone becoming synonymous with the fanbase due to their penchant for playfully putting them on the heads of statues, most notably the Duke of Wellington’s statue in Glasgow.

This new iteration of the cone is going to be touring the city to raise money and awareness for mental health charities. Seen as a symbol of friendship, it’s designed to foster friendship between the cities which will hopefully last long past the World Cup.

#Scotland #fans #returning #Boston #reason">Scotland fans are returning to Boston for the best reason  Scotland’s time in the 2026 World Cup may have been short-lived, but the fans’ effect on Boston will live on for a long, long time. Visitors took over the city, integrated themselves to their hosts, and had an absolute ball during the group stage of the tournament. Now some of them are back, for the best reason imaginable. 


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A handful of Scotland fans have returned, with a traffic cone adorned in designs that honor Boston. It was created by a fan/artist who fell in love with scenes of Scottish fans in Boston, with the traffic cone becoming synonymous with the fanbase due to their penchant for playfully putting them on the heads of statues, most notably the Duke of Wellington’s statue in Glasgow.

This new iteration of the cone is going to be touring the city to raise money and awareness for mental health charities. Seen as a symbol of friendship, it’s designed to foster friendship between the cities which will hopefully last long past the World Cup.  #Scotland #fans #returning #Boston #reason

Visitors took over the city, integrated themselves to their hosts, and had an absolute ball during the group stage of the tournament. Now some of them are back, for the best reason imaginable.

A handful of Scotland fans have returned, with a traffic cone adorned in designs that honor Boston. It was created by a fan/artist who fell in love with scenes of Scottish fans in Boston, with the traffic cone becoming synonymous with the fanbase due to their penchant for playfully putting them on the heads of statues, most notably the Duke of Wellington’s statue in Glasgow.

This new iteration of the cone is going to be touring the city to raise money and awareness for mental health charities. Seen as a symbol of friendship, it’s designed to foster friendship between the cities which will hopefully last long past the World Cup.

#Scotland #fans #returning #Boston #reason">Scotland fans are returning to Boston for the best reason

Scotland’s time in the 2026 World Cup may have been short-lived, but the fans’ effect on Boston will live on for a long, long time. Visitors took over the city, integrated themselves to their hosts, and had an absolute ball during the group stage of the tournament. Now some of them are back, for the best reason imaginable.

A handful of Scotland fans have returned, with a traffic cone adorned in designs that honor Boston. It was created by a fan/artist who fell in love with scenes of Scottish fans in Boston, with the traffic cone becoming synonymous with the fanbase due to their penchant for playfully putting them on the heads of statues, most notably the Duke of Wellington’s statue in Glasgow.

This new iteration of the cone is going to be touring the city to raise money and awareness for mental health charities. Seen as a symbol of friendship, it’s designed to foster friendship between the cities which will hopefully last long past the World Cup.

#Scotland #fans #returning #Boston #reason

Antonio Rattin’s red card (1966 World Cup quarterfinal)

The rivalry’s first great flashpoint came at Wembley when Argentina captain Antonio Rattin was sent off for “violence of the tongue”, despite no common language existing between him and German referee Rudolf Kreitlein. Rattin refused to leave for nearly eight minutes, sat on the royal carpet and had to be escorted off. England won 1-0, but the aftermath proved equally explosive as England manager Alf Ramsey prevented his players from exchanging shirts with Argentina, later branding the visitors “animals”.

Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” (1986 World Cup quarterfinal)

5 World Cup Controversies That Made England vs Argentina Legendary  Antonio Rattin’s red card (1966 World Cup quarterfinal)The rivalry’s first great flashpoint came at Wembley when Argentina captain Antonio Rattin was sent off for “violence of the tongue”, despite no common language existing between him and German referee Rudolf Kreitlein. Rattin refused to leave for nearly eight minutes, sat on the royal carpet and had to be escorted off. England won 1-0, but the aftermath proved equally explosive as England manager Alf Ramsey prevented his players from exchanging shirts with Argentina, later branding the visitors “animals”.Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” (1986 World Cup quarterfinal) Diego Maradona punches home the infamous “Hand of God” goal past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton during the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal in Mexico City.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images
                            

                            Diego Maradona punches home the infamous “Hand of God” goal past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton during the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal in Mexico City.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images
                                                    Six minutes into the second half in Mexico City, Diego Maradona leapt with England goalkeeper Peter Shilton and punched the ball into the net with his left fist. The Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser and his assistants missed the infringement, allowing the goal to stand. Maradona later described it as being scored “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God”. Argentina won 2-1, with Maradona also scoring the celebrated “Goal of the Century” minutes later.David Beckham’s red card (1998 World Cup Round of 16) David Beckham was sent off for kicking out at Argentina’s Diego Simeone early in the second half of their 1998 World Cup Round of 16 match.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images
                            

                            David Beckham was sent off for kicking out at Argentina’s Diego Simeone early in the second half of their 1998 World Cup Round of 16 match.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images
                                                    With the score at 2-2 in Saint-Etienne, England midfielder David Beckham was sent off early in the second half after kicking out at Diego Simeone following a foul. Referee Kim Milton Nielsen judged the retaliation worthy of a red card. Reduced to 10 men, England held on until penalties before losing the shootout. Beckham became a national villain overnight, while many England supporters accused Simeone of exaggerating the contact.Sol Campbell’s disallowed extra-time goal (1998 World Cup Round of 16) Sol Campbell of England celebrates scoring a goal, which is later disallowed due to Alan Shearer of England infringing Argentina goalkeeper Carlos Roa.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images
                            

                            Sol Campbell of England celebrates scoring a goal, which is later disallowed due to Alan Shearer of England infringing Argentina goalkeeper Carlos Roa.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images
                                                    The same 1998 tie produced another controversy. In extra time, Sol Campbell headed England into what appeared to be a golden-goal winner. Referee Kim Milton Nielsen, however, ruled the goal out for a foul by Alan Shearer on Argentine goalkeeper Carlos Roa. The match remained level and Argentina eventually prevailed in the penalty shootout (4-3).Michael Owen’s controversial penalty against Mauricio Pochettino (2002 World Cup group stage) England’s Michael Owen is fouled by Argentina’s Mauricio Pochettino which resulted in a penalty kick and England’s winning goal 
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images
                            

                            England’s Michael Owen is fouled by Argentina’s Mauricio Pochettino which resulted in a penalty kick and England’s winning goal 
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images
                                                    England’s only goal in its 1-0 victory over Argentina came from a penalty that has remained fiercely debated. Just before half-time, Michael Owen burst into the penalty area and went down after contact from defender Mauricio Pochettino. Referee Pierluigi Collina pointed to the spot, and David Beckham converted. While England argued Pochettino had clipped Owen, Argentina insisted the striker had exaggerated the contact. Years later, Owen admitted he could have stayed on his feet, keeping alive one of the rivalry’s most disputed refereeing decisions.Published on Jul 15, 2026  #World #Cup #Controversies #England #Argentina #Legendary

Diego Maradona punches home the infamous “Hand of God” goal past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton during the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal in Mexico City. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

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Diego Maradona punches home the infamous “Hand of God” goal past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton during the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal in Mexico City. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Six minutes into the second half in Mexico City, Diego Maradona leapt with England goalkeeper Peter Shilton and punched the ball into the net with his left fist. The Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser and his assistants missed the infringement, allowing the goal to stand. Maradona later described it as being scored “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God”. Argentina won 2-1, with Maradona also scoring the celebrated “Goal of the Century” minutes later.

David Beckham’s red card (1998 World Cup Round of 16)

David Beckham was sent off for kicking out at Argentina’s Diego Simeone early in the second half of their 1998 World Cup Round of 16 match.

David Beckham was sent off for kicking out at Argentina’s Diego Simeone early in the second half of their 1998 World Cup Round of 16 match. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

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David Beckham was sent off for kicking out at Argentina’s Diego Simeone early in the second half of their 1998 World Cup Round of 16 match. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

With the score at 2-2 in Saint-Etienne, England midfielder David Beckham was sent off early in the second half after kicking out at Diego Simeone following a foul. Referee Kim Milton Nielsen judged the retaliation worthy of a red card. Reduced to 10 men, England held on until penalties before losing the shootout. Beckham became a national villain overnight, while many England supporters accused Simeone of exaggerating the contact.

Sol Campbell’s disallowed extra-time goal (1998 World Cup Round of 16)

Sol Campbell of England celebrates scoring a goal, which is later disallowed due to Alan Shearer of England infringing Argentina goalkeeper Carlos Roa.

Sol Campbell of England celebrates scoring a goal, which is later disallowed due to Alan Shearer of England infringing Argentina goalkeeper Carlos Roa. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

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Sol Campbell of England celebrates scoring a goal, which is later disallowed due to Alan Shearer of England infringing Argentina goalkeeper Carlos Roa. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

The same 1998 tie produced another controversy. In extra time, Sol Campbell headed England into what appeared to be a golden-goal winner. Referee Kim Milton Nielsen, however, ruled the goal out for a foul by Alan Shearer on Argentine goalkeeper Carlos Roa. The match remained level and Argentina eventually prevailed in the penalty shootout (4-3).

Michael Owen’s controversial penalty against Mauricio Pochettino (2002 World Cup group stage)

England’s Michael Owen is fouled by Argentina’s Mauricio Pochettino which resulted in a penalty kick and England’s winning goal 

England’s Michael Owen is fouled by Argentina’s Mauricio Pochettino which resulted in a penalty kick and England’s winning goal  | Photo Credit: Getty Images

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England’s Michael Owen is fouled by Argentina’s Mauricio Pochettino which resulted in a penalty kick and England’s winning goal  | Photo Credit: Getty Images

England’s only goal in its 1-0 victory over Argentina came from a penalty that has remained fiercely debated. Just before half-time, Michael Owen burst into the penalty area and went down after contact from defender Mauricio Pochettino. Referee Pierluigi Collina pointed to the spot, and David Beckham converted. While England argued Pochettino had clipped Owen, Argentina insisted the striker had exaggerated the contact. Years later, Owen admitted he could have stayed on his feet, keeping alive one of the rivalry’s most disputed refereeing decisions.

Published on Jul 15, 2026

#World #Cup #Controversies #England #Argentina #Legendary">5 World Cup Controversies That Made England vs Argentina Legendary  Antonio Rattin’s red card (1966 World Cup quarterfinal)The rivalry’s first great flashpoint came at Wembley when Argentina captain Antonio Rattin was sent off for “violence of the tongue”, despite no common language existing between him and German referee Rudolf Kreitlein. Rattin refused to leave for nearly eight minutes, sat on the royal carpet and had to be escorted off. England won 1-0, but the aftermath proved equally explosive as England manager Alf Ramsey prevented his players from exchanging shirts with Argentina, later branding the visitors “animals”.Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” (1986 World Cup quarterfinal) Diego Maradona punches home the infamous “Hand of God” goal past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton during the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal in Mexico City.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images
                            

                            Diego Maradona punches home the infamous “Hand of God” goal past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton during the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal in Mexico City.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images
                                                    Six minutes into the second half in Mexico City, Diego Maradona leapt with England goalkeeper Peter Shilton and punched the ball into the net with his left fist. The Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser and his assistants missed the infringement, allowing the goal to stand. Maradona later described it as being scored “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God”. Argentina won 2-1, with Maradona also scoring the celebrated “Goal of the Century” minutes later.David Beckham’s red card (1998 World Cup Round of 16) David Beckham was sent off for kicking out at Argentina’s Diego Simeone early in the second half of their 1998 World Cup Round of 16 match.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images
                            

                            David Beckham was sent off for kicking out at Argentina’s Diego Simeone early in the second half of their 1998 World Cup Round of 16 match.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images
                                                    With the score at 2-2 in Saint-Etienne, England midfielder David Beckham was sent off early in the second half after kicking out at Diego Simeone following a foul. Referee Kim Milton Nielsen judged the retaliation worthy of a red card. Reduced to 10 men, England held on until penalties before losing the shootout. Beckham became a national villain overnight, while many England supporters accused Simeone of exaggerating the contact.Sol Campbell’s disallowed extra-time goal (1998 World Cup Round of 16) Sol Campbell of England celebrates scoring a goal, which is later disallowed due to Alan Shearer of England infringing Argentina goalkeeper Carlos Roa.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images
                            

                            Sol Campbell of England celebrates scoring a goal, which is later disallowed due to Alan Shearer of England infringing Argentina goalkeeper Carlos Roa.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images
                                                    The same 1998 tie produced another controversy. In extra time, Sol Campbell headed England into what appeared to be a golden-goal winner. Referee Kim Milton Nielsen, however, ruled the goal out for a foul by Alan Shearer on Argentine goalkeeper Carlos Roa. The match remained level and Argentina eventually prevailed in the penalty shootout (4-3).Michael Owen’s controversial penalty against Mauricio Pochettino (2002 World Cup group stage) England’s Michael Owen is fouled by Argentina’s Mauricio Pochettino which resulted in a penalty kick and England’s winning goal 
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images
                            

                            England’s Michael Owen is fouled by Argentina’s Mauricio Pochettino which resulted in a penalty kick and England’s winning goal 
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images
                                                    England’s only goal in its 1-0 victory over Argentina came from a penalty that has remained fiercely debated. Just before half-time, Michael Owen burst into the penalty area and went down after contact from defender Mauricio Pochettino. Referee Pierluigi Collina pointed to the spot, and David Beckham converted. While England argued Pochettino had clipped Owen, Argentina insisted the striker had exaggerated the contact. Years later, Owen admitted he could have stayed on his feet, keeping alive one of the rivalry’s most disputed refereeing decisions.Published on Jul 15, 2026  #World #Cup #Controversies #England #Argentina #Legendary

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