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Argentina stars taunted England from team bus after World Cup win as cutting message revealed

A fresh chapter was added to Argentina and England's long-established rivalry at the World Cup this week

[Michael Owen.]

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Michael Owen knows all too well about Argentina heartbreak(Image: Arnold Slater /Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)

Argentina players taunted the England team bus after their World Cup 1998 penalty shoot-out win with blaring music and partying. Alan Shearer made a damning statement to the younger players, including Michael Owen, urging them to "remember this moment" and exact revenge.

The South American side edged further ahead in their rivalry with the Three Lions during this year's tournament, producing yet another late comeback to win 2-1 and advance to the World Cup final. Anthony Gordon's goal had his team 1-0 up but two assists from Lionel Messi helped his side break English hearts once more.

There was a sense of retribution on the cards while England were leading, given their history with Argentina. In 1998, the South Americans dumped Glenn Hoddle's Three Lions out on penalties following a 2-2 draw and David Beckham's infamous red card.

Gabriel Batistuta put away a penalty early on before Shearer levelled with a spot kick of his own. Owen went on a mazy run just six minutes later and fired England in front with a brilliant individual goal, before Javier Zanetti equalised just before half-time.

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Argentina beat England 4-3 on penalties and Owen was left devastated. Speaking to the Mail before the semi-final, the ex-Liverpool star admitted their rivals spent plenty of time taunting them before leaving the stadium.

Owen said: "We were on the team bus after the game and were underneath the stadium in Saint-Etienne. Wed 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.

[Michael Owen of England and Alan Shearer of England look dejected after the FIFA World Cup Finals 1998 Round Of 16 match between Argentina and England at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on June 30, 1998 in Saint-Etienne, France. ]

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The Three Lions were left devastated(Image: Stewart Kendall/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)

"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."

Despite this frustration building among the England stars, Shearer was quick to remind them of the future with a cutting remark. Owen explained: "But Ill 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.'"

[Alan Shearer.]

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Alan Shearer made a strong statement post-match(Image: Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)

Four years later, they would indeed meet once more in the World Cup 2002 group stages. Beckham put away a penalty to win the game 1-0 and exact some revenge.

Argentina got the most recent say in the rivalry, however, as they stopped England from making their first World Cup final since 1966.

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