World Cup Corner

Reuters.com - Argentina have arranged to play England in a friendly in Geneva on November 12 if Sven-Goran Eriksson’s men have already qualified for the World Cup, the Argentine Soccer Association (AFA) said.

The match would serve as a warm-up for the finals in Germany in 2006, for which Argentina qualified in June with a 3-1 win over World Cup holders Brazil.

But if England have not qualified by that date and are involved in a two-legged playoff during November 12-16, Argentina say they will play another top European nation.

England and Argentina have a long history of footballing rivalry, including Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal in the South Americans’ 2-1 win at the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals in Mexico. More recently, England beat the Argentines 1-0 in the group stage of the 2002 finals.

The English FA would not comment on the AFA announcement.

England are second in qualifying Group Six, two points behind Poland who have played a game more.

Eriksson’s men, who were routed 4-1 by Denmark in a friendly on Wednesday, have four qualifiers still to play against Wales, Northern Ireland, Austria and the Poles.

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