England v Argentina is a fixture with baggage, a clash of playing styles and cultural misunderstandings that has provided international football with some of its most controversial incidents… Ramsey’s animals comment at Wembley… Maradona’s Hand of God goal… Beckham’s infamous red card… and his redemptive penalty four years later in Japan…

Argentinian-based British journalist Neil Clack uncovers the story of how a once gentlemanly event has developed into one of the bitterest of grudge matches in world football, and tells a remarkable tale packed full of suspicion, namecalling, fisticuffs and intrigue.

With a chapter dedicated to each of the 15 internationals played between the two countries, the story is told through the eyes of the players who played in those matches, accompanied by extensive background research, tactical analysis and personal anecdotes.

Featuring exclusive interviews with Antonio Rattin, Ossie Ardiles, Ricky Villa, Carlos Roa, Juan Sebastian Veron, and Mario Kempes, Animals! includes startling new revelations about one of international football’s bitterest rivalries.