In 1998, England arrived at the World Cup ready to make up for lost time, having missed out on the tournament four years earlier.
However, little did they know, it would all come crashing down once again. Hopes were high for the strong squad, led by Glenn Hoddle, that included Alan Shearer , Paul Ince , Tony Adams and the rising superstar David Beckham .
For what he later credited as a turning point in his career and life, Beckham would go from hero to zero on what was a fateful day in Saint-Étienne as the two international rivals locked horns 12 years on from the infamous 1986 quarter-final .
Why was David Beckham sent off?
With 1986 in everyone's mind and plenty on the line for both countries, the tension was palpable. It had already been a dramatic knockout tie even prior to Beckham's dismissal.
An early Gabriel Batistuta opener was canceled out by Shearer before teenager Michael Owen put the Three Lions ahead in stunning fashion; that goal was assisted by Beckham and remains one of the great England World Cup moments .
However, Argentina were up for the fight. An incisive free-kick routine resulted in Javier Zanetti firing past David Seaman just before halftime to leave the match in the balance heading into the second half.
As a result, tensions began to boil over. After a fierce battle with Diego Simeone , both lay on the ground but the Argentine seemed to provoke Beckham with a few taps and the United star failed to keep his composure, kicking out right in the front of the referee.
Hardly violent conduct, but it was enough to be sent off. England were left to compete with 10 men for the rest of the second half and the subsequent extra-time and penalty shootout defeat.
There have been 22 World Cups since its inception in 1930, with eight different countries winning the trophy in that time.
Reaction to Beckham's red card
In the aftermath of the defeat, the media and fan outcry was brutal. Beckham was painted as public enemy number one, and it's a miracle that he ever pulled on an England shirt again.
With the media and manager Hoddle already questioning his focus and quality, the red card was the perfect excuse for all the naysayers. The England manager failed to defend him in his post-match interview; an interview that Beckham later admitted was 'difficult to take'.
The papers printed a damning headline: 'Ten heroic lions, one stupid boy'. It seemed the entire nation had turned against him and the striking images showing effigies of him being burned still make for difficult viewing.
At the time, Beckham was arguably the most hated man in the country. A dartboard with his face on it was plastered on the front of one particular newspaper, fans booed him when he returned to club football and many didn't want him to play for England ever again.
Some of these will stay in the minds of fans forever.
What did Diego Simeone say about it?
Known for being a purveyor of the dark arts, from Argentina's side Simeone had done his country an honourable service in getting Beckham sent off.
Yet, in a 2002 interview ahead of the World Cup, he admitted to overacting to secure the dismissal. He said: "Let's just say the referee fell into the trap. You could say that my falling transformed a yellow card into a red card. In fact, the most appropriate punishment was a yellow. Obviously, I was being clever."
He reflected on the situation in later years, noting how it was a transformative moment for Beckham. "It was probably a difficult time in his career, but also gave him a lot of strength to be the player and the man he is in football."
Let's just say the referee fell into the trap... Obviously, I was being clever.
David Beckham's Redemption
The year 2001 brought about a true superhero moment that was the beginning of his redemption in an England shirt.
England needed one more point to confirm their place at the 2002 World Cup and were trailing 2-1 at home to Greece in the qualifying phase. With minutes left, Beckham fired in an incredible free-kick from 30 yards out to miraculously send his country to the tournament. Where once he was hated, he was now adored.
Then it all came full circle in the group stages, as England faced Argentina again. Beckham fired home the only goal of the game from the penalty spot and let out an emotional roar that seemed to expel the demons from that dark day four years earlier.
England would later lose to eventual champions Brazil , but Beckham had completed his redemption arc.
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