Deadspin | Game vs. Flames chance for Avs to clinch President’s Trophy Apr 7, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns (84) controls the puck against the St. Louis Blues during the second period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images The Colorado Avalanche secured the top seed in the Western Conference, so the only goal left for them in the regular season is capturing the President’s Trophy and home ice throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs. They can accomplish that with two more points in their final five games. The first chance comes Thursday night when Colorado hosts the Calgary Flames. Colorado (51-16-10, 112 points) beat the St. Louis Blues 3-1 on Tuesday night to clinch the Central Division and the Western Conference. The Avalanche have been alone atop the NHL standings since Dec. 1, and their only competition for the overall top seed is Carolina, which has 106 points with four games left. Colorado went 1-0-1 against Carolina this season. “We set our goals at the start of the year, and we wanted to be on top,” captain Gabe Landeskog said after the win in St. Louis. “That’s a big step. We know it doesn’t mean anything come playoff time, other than we get an extra game at home every series.” The win over the Blues was costly. Nazem Kadri suffered a finger injury when he blocked a shot on his final shift of the second period. Head coach Jared Bednar said Wednesday morning on Altitude Radio that Kadri will miss some time but didn’t specify how long. Kadri, who still leads Calgary in scoring after being traded from the Flames on March 6, has 50 points this season (16 goals, 34 assists). He has four goals and five assists in 16 games with the Avalanche. Colorado has already been without defenseman Cale Makar, who suffered an upper-body injury against Calgary on March 30, but he is expected back before the end of the regular season. Kadri had surgery on his thumb during the second round of the 2022 playoffs but returned to play the last three games of the Stanley Cup Finals. Calgary (32-36-9, 73 points) was eliminated from the playoffs when Nashville won Monday night. The Flames didn’t show any letdown when they traveled to Dallas on Tuesday night and nearly beat the Stars before falling 4-3 in overtime. Calgary led 3-1 early in the third period before the Stars rallied to win it in overtime. “I liked our game,” Flames coach Ryan Huska said. “There was a lot of our game where I thought we played hard. We did a good job away from the pucks, thought we had some lengthy shifts in the offensive zone. … At the end of the night, again, you’re taking penalties against a very good power play. That’s tough.” Like the Avalanche, Calgary had a player suffer an injury Tuesday night. Defenseman Kevin Bahl played just two shifts before leaving with a lower-body injury. There was no update on his condition. Thursday night is the second of three matchups in a span of nine games. The teams didn’t play this season until March 30, and they finish up their regular-season series Tuesday in Calgary. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Game #Flames #chance #Avs #clinch #Presidents #Trophy

Deadspin | Game vs. Flames chance for Avs to clinch President’s Trophy
Apr 7, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns (84) controls the puck against the St. Louis Blues during the second period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

The Colorado Avalanche secured the top seed in the Western Conference, so the only goal left for them in the regular season is capturing the President’s Trophy and home ice throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs.

They can accomplish that with two more points in their final five games. The first chance comes Thursday night when Colorado hosts the Calgary Flames.

Colorado (51-16-10, 112 points) beat the St. Louis Blues 3-1 on Tuesday night to clinch the Central Division and the Western Conference. The Avalanche have been alone atop the NHL standings since Dec. 1, and their only competition for the overall top seed is Carolina, which has 106 points with four games left.

Colorado went 1-0-1 against Carolina this season.

“We set our goals at the start of the year, and we wanted to be on top,” captain Gabe Landeskog said after the win in St. Louis. “That’s a big step. We know it doesn’t mean anything come playoff time, other than we get an extra game at home every series.”

The win over the Blues was costly. Nazem Kadri suffered a finger injury when he blocked a shot on his final shift of the second period. Head coach Jared Bednar said Wednesday morning on Altitude Radio that Kadri will miss some time but didn’t specify how long.

Kadri, who still leads Calgary in scoring after being traded from the Flames on March 6, has 50 points this season (16 goals, 34 assists). He has four goals and five assists in 16 games with the Avalanche.

Colorado has already been without defenseman Cale Makar, who suffered an upper-body injury against Calgary on March 30, but he is expected back before the end of the regular season.

Kadri had surgery on his thumb during the second round of the 2022 playoffs but returned to play the last three games of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Calgary (32-36-9, 73 points) was eliminated from the playoffs when Nashville won Monday night. The Flames didn’t show any letdown when they traveled to Dallas on Tuesday night and nearly beat the Stars before falling 4-3 in overtime.

Calgary led 3-1 early in the third period before the Stars rallied to win it in overtime.

“I liked our game,” Flames coach Ryan Huska said. “There was a lot of our game where I thought we played hard. We did a good job away from the pucks, thought we had some lengthy shifts in the offensive zone. … At the end of the night, again, you’re taking penalties against a very good power play. That’s tough.”

Like the Avalanche, Calgary had a player suffer an injury Tuesday night. Defenseman Kevin Bahl played just two shifts before leaving with a lower-body injury. There was no update on his condition.

Thursday night is the second of three matchups in a span of nine games. The teams didn’t play this season until March 30, and they finish up their regular-season series Tuesday in Calgary.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Game #Flames #chance #Avs #clinch #Presidents #Trophy

Sports news April 9, 2026

Apr 7, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns (84) controls the puck against the St. Louis Blues during the second period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

The Colorado Avalanche secured the top seed in the Western Conference, so the only goal left for them in the regular season is capturing the President’s Trophy and home ice throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs.

They can accomplish that with two more points in their final five games. The first chance comes Thursday night when Colorado hosts the Calgary Flames.

Colorado (51-16-10, 112 points) beat the St. Louis Blues 3-1 on Tuesday night to clinch the Central Division and the Western Conference. The Avalanche have been alone atop the NHL standings since Dec. 1, and their only competition for the overall top seed is Carolina, which has 106 points with four games left.

Colorado went 1-0-1 against Carolina this season.

“We set our goals at the start of the year, and we wanted to be on top,” captain Gabe Landeskog said after the win in St. Louis. “That’s a big step. We know it doesn’t mean anything come playoff time, other than we get an extra game at home every series.”

The win over the Blues was costly. Nazem Kadri suffered a finger injury when he blocked a shot on his final shift of the second period. Head coach Jared Bednar said Wednesday morning on Altitude Radio that Kadri will miss some time but didn’t specify how long.

Kadri, who still leads Calgary in scoring after being traded from the Flames on March 6, has 50 points this season (16 goals, 34 assists). He has four goals and five assists in 16 games with the Avalanche.

Colorado has already been without defenseman Cale Makar, who suffered an upper-body injury against Calgary on March 30, but he is expected back before the end of the regular season.

Kadri had surgery on his thumb during the second round of the 2022 playoffs but returned to play the last three games of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Calgary (32-36-9, 73 points) was eliminated from the playoffs when Nashville won Monday night. The Flames didn’t show any letdown when they traveled to Dallas on Tuesday night and nearly beat the Stars before falling 4-3 in overtime.

Calgary led 3-1 early in the third period before the Stars rallied to win it in overtime.

“I liked our game,” Flames coach Ryan Huska said. “There was a lot of our game where I thought we played hard. We did a good job away from the pucks, thought we had some lengthy shifts in the offensive zone. … At the end of the night, again, you’re taking penalties against a very good power play. That’s tough.”

Like the Avalanche, Calgary had a player suffer an injury Tuesday night. Defenseman Kevin Bahl played just two shifts before leaving with a lower-body injury. There was no update on his condition.

Thursday night is the second of three matchups in a span of nine games. The teams didn’t play this season until March 30, and they finish up their regular-season series Tuesday in Calgary.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Game #Flames #chance #Avs #clinch #Presidents #Trophy

Rory McIlroy has great chance to repeat as Masters Champion <div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The first round of the Masters is in the books and its defending champion currently trails no one.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Rory McIlroy is off to a great start at Augusta National, although Sam Burns has equaled his efforts as the two share the lead following Thursday’s round. Sam has <a href="https://x.com/rjochoa/status/2042309862193762510?s=20">seemingly</a> been in Masters mode for a while, by the way.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">With all due respect to Mr. Burns the fact that Rory is tied for the lead, even if it is after only the first round, is a fairly big deal and the story of the Tournament to date. McIlroy has spoken a lot about his overall thoughts on the Masters and the strategy involved in winning it since he did so a year ago, and he has shared that he always felt like getting off to a hot start was critical to success.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">McIlroy won the Masters last year, but he didn’t exactly cruise to victory or get off to the hot start that he believes is vital.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Do you know where Rory finished after the first round when he went on to win the green jacket?</p></div><div><p><h4 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">Rory McIlroy at the 2025 Masters</h4></p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">McIlroy was even par after 18 holes last year so the fact that he is currently 5-under and in front of all but one player suggests that he has a very strong chance of repeating as winner. Much easier said than done, clearly.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">While Rory’s bookend rounds in 2025 were hardly impressive his Thursday round this year closely mirrored what he did on Friday and Saturday last year. There may wind up being some regression to the mean here, but ultimately Rory is quite literally sitting in pole position.</p></div> #Rory #McIlroy #great #chance #repeat #Masters #Champion

Brazil pacer Laura Cardoso becomes first player to pick nine wickets in T20Is <div id="content-body-70842695" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Brazilian pacer Laura Cardoso scripted history on Thursday as she became the first player, man or woman, to take nine wickets in a T20I innings.</p><p>The 21-year-old all-rounder ripped through Lesotho’s batting line-up at the Botswana Cricket Association Oval 2, Gaborone, ending with a brilliant spell of 9/4 (3) which included two maiden overs.</p><p>This has bettered R. Rohmalia’s (Indonesia) spell of seven wickets for no runs against Mongolia in 2024 in the women’s game, and Sonam Yeshey’s (Bhutan) 8/7 spell against Myanmar in 2025 in the men’s game.</p><p>Earlier in the match, Brazil posted a commanding total of 202, powered by impressive knocks from Roberta Avery (48 off 35) and Monnike Machado (69 not out off 41).</p><p>Cardoso’s incredible spell began in the second over when the pacer picked up a hat-trick. She followed it up with four more wickets in the fourth over to take her tally to seven.</p><p>Two additional wickets in the sixth over saw her reach an unprecedented nine wickets in an innings.</p><p>The final wicket was claimed by Marianne Artur, as Lesotho were bowled out for just 13 in 6.2 overs, handing Brazil a massive 189-run victory.</p><p>Cardoso has played 48 T20Is for Brazil and picked up 55 wickets. She made her debut for the Brazilian national team in 2021 against USA.</p><p><i>(With PTI inputs)</i></p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 09, 2026</p></div> #Brazil #pacer #Laura #Cardoso #player #pick #wickets #T20Is

#Deadspin #Florida #State #lands #pledge #4star #ZaKari #Johnson">

Deadspin | Florida State lands pledge from 4-star DB Za’Kari Johnson Apr 20, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles helmet during the Spring Showcase at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images With the season less than two months away, the Florida State football team got some good news Tuesday night when four-star recruit Za’Kari Johnson committed to the Seminoles over other finalists Miami, Auburn, Syracuse and Georgia Tech. Johnson, who plays for Miami (Fla.) Carol City High, recently reclassified from the 2028 recruiting class to 2027. He ranks as the No. 349 overall recruit, No. 21 athlete and No. 31 prospect from Florida in the 2027 class, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. While there was some debate about Johnson’s position at the next level. He played both quarterback and defensive back last season for Plantation (Fla.) High School before transferring. Johnson told 247Sports that the Seminoles intend to use him in the secondary. Johnson is Florida State’s 14th commit in its 2027 class, the fourth of which is a four-star recruit. The Seminoles’ 2027 class ranks 53rd in the 247Sports recruiting class rankings. Since being left out of the College Football Playoff in 2023 with a 13-0 record, Florida State has gone 7-17 the last two years under Mike Norvell, creating a hot seat entering his seventh season leading the program in 2026. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Florida #State #lands #pledge #4star #ZaKari #Johnson

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Apr 20, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles helmet during the Spring Showcase at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images

With the season less than two months away, the Florida State football team got some good news Tuesday night when four-star recruit Za’Kari Johnson committed to the Seminoles over other finalists Miami, Auburn, Syracuse and Georgia Tech.

Johnson, who plays for Miami (Fla.) Carol City High, recently reclassified from the 2028 recruiting class to 2027. He ranks as the No. 349 overall recruit, No. 21 athlete and No. 31 prospect from Florida in the 2027 class, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings.

While there was some debate about Johnson’s position at the next level. He played both quarterback and defensive back last season for Plantation (Fla.) High School before transferring. Johnson told 247Sports that the Seminoles intend to use him in the secondary.

Johnson is Florida State’s 14th commit in its 2027 class, the fourth of which is a four-star recruit. The Seminoles’ 2027 class ranks 53rd in the 247Sports recruiting class rankings.

Since being left out of the College Football Playoff in 2023 with a 13-0 record, Florida State has gone 7-17 the last two years under Mike Norvell, creating a hot seat entering his seventh season leading the program in 2026.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Florida #State #lands #pledge #4star #ZaKari #Johnson">Deadspin | Florida State lands pledge from 4-star DB Za’Kari Johnson

Apr 20, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles helmet during the Spring Showcase at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images

With the season less than two months away, the Florida State football team got some good news Tuesday night when four-star recruit Za’Kari Johnson committed to the Seminoles over other finalists Miami, Auburn, Syracuse and Georgia Tech.

Johnson, who plays for Miami (Fla.) Carol City High, recently reclassified from the 2028 recruiting class to 2027. He ranks as the No. 349 overall recruit, No. 21 athlete and No. 31 prospect from Florida in the 2027 class, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings.

While there was some debate about Johnson’s position at the next level. He played both quarterback and defensive back last season for Plantation (Fla.) High School before transferring. Johnson told 247Sports that the Seminoles intend to use him in the secondary.

Johnson is Florida State’s 14th commit in its 2027 class, the fourth of which is a four-star recruit. The Seminoles’ 2027 class ranks 53rd in the 247Sports recruiting class rankings.

Since being left out of the College Football Playoff in 2023 with a 13-0 record, Florida State has gone 7-17 the last two years under Mike Norvell, creating a hot seat entering his seventh season leading the program in 2026.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Florida #State #lands #pledge #4star #ZaKari #Johnson

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.

View this post on Instagram

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

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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.

View this post on Instagram

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.

View this post on Instagram

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

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

#World #Cup #Controversies #England #Argentina #Legendary">

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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">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

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

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 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

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