Argentina's players celebrated next to the England team bus following their World Cup 1998 penalty shoot-out victory, blasting music and banging on the windows, according to Michael Owen. The South Americans extended their advantage in their long-standing rivalry with the Three Lions during this year's World Cup, producing yet another late comeback to triumph 2-1 and book their place in the final with Spain.
England's Hopes Dashed Again
Anthony Gordon's strike had put England 1-0 ahead, but two assists from Lionel Messi helped his side shatter English dreams once more. A sense of retribution had appeared to be on the horizon while England were in front, given the nations' turbulent history.
1998 World Cup Heartbreak
In 1998, the South Americans eliminated Glenn Hoddle's Three Lions on penalties following a 2-2 draw, a match forever marked by David Beckham's red card. Gabriel Batistuta converted an early penalty before Shearer levelled with one of his own. Owen then embarked on a breathtaking run just six minutes later, firing England ahead with a stunning individual effort, before Javier Zanetti equalised just before the interval. Argentina ultimately prevailed 4-3 on penalties, leaving Owen utterly devastated.
Owen Recalls the Taunting
Speaking to the Mail ahead of the semi-final, the former Liverpool striker recalled how their rivals spent considerable time rubbing it in to the England squad before departing the stadium. Owen said: "We were on the team bus after the game and were underneath the stadium in Saint-Etienne. We'd lost on penalties in the last 16. The bus was quiet and we were all feeling pretty sorry for ourselves.
"There was silence and dejection, a feeling of what might have been. We should have won that night. We looked out of the window and the Argentina bus was parked in the bay next to us. Their players were just getting on and the party soon started. The music was blasting and, literally, the bus was shaking. Javier Zanetti. Diego Simeone. Gabriel Batistuta. They were banging on the windows and loving every minute of it."
Shearer's Motivational Words
Yet despite the simmering annoyance among the England squad, Shearer was quick to refocus their minds with a pointed remark. Owen explained: "But I'll never forget Alan Shearer walking on our bus. He stopped and pointed to the Argentina bus. He stood there and at the top of his voice told us, 'Some of you will be lucky enough to play that mob again. Just remember this, remember this moment.'"
2002 Redemption
Sure enough, four years on, the two sides met again in the World Cup 2002 group stages. Beckham converted a penalty to seal a 1-0 victory and exact a measure of retribution. Argentina, however, had the latest word in this storied rivalry, ending England's hopes of reaching their first World Cup final since 1966.
