One of the most dramatic encounters in World Cup history, England's clash with Argentina in the round of 16 at the 1998 FIFA World Cup remains a defining moment for a generation of football fans.

The match had everything — a stunning strike from a teenage Michael Owen, a moment of madness from David Beckham that would define his career for years, and the familiar agony of an England penalty shootout defeat.

Owen announces himself on the world stage

A 18-year-old Owen announced himself to a global audience with a breathtaking solo run and finish that cut through the Argentina defence and left the footballing world speechless. It stands among the most celebrated goals in England's World Cup history.

The goal briefly gave England hope of pulling off a significant upset against one of the tournament favourites, with the contest finely poised heading into a frantic second half.

Beckham's sending off

The turning point came when Beckham was shown a red card after a petulant kick at Diego Simeone — a moment that would haunt him and provoke fierce debate back home. England were forced to play the remainder of the match with ten men.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, England held on through the second half and extra time, refusing to be broken by Argentina's superior numbers.

Penalty heartbreak — again

With the match level after 120 minutes, the tie was decided by a penalty shootout. England's exit followed the now-familiar script: missed penalties and dashed dreams, as Argentina advanced to the next round.

The match is available to watch on BBC iPlayer for users in the United Kingdom as part of a classic World Cup matches series, ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.