1938: Italy - France

In a very tense geopolitical context, with the shadow of fascism over Europe, France is hosting the third World Cup in history.

On June 12, it faces Italy in the quarter-finals at the Colombes stadium (Italy wins 3-1).

The Italians wear a black jersey, similar to that of the militiamen of Mussolini's regime, and send a fascist salute to the 60,000 spectators.

The audience responds by vigorously whistling the Italian anthem.

In the eyes of the "Duce", football is a way to show the superiority of fascist ideology.

The Nazionale goes to the end of the competition and obtains its second planetary title in a row.

1974: FRG - GDR

On June 22, the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the Democratic Republic of Germany (GDR), enemy sisters, clash in Hamburg, in the West, where the Volksparkstadion is sold out.

In the midst of the Cold War, this match crystallized the tensions between the two blocs.

But there should be no overflows: the two countries have started a normalization process, and signed a mutual recognition treaty in 1972.

The match, classified at risk, finally goes off without a hitch.

The GDR won against all odds, thanks to a goal in the last quarter of an hour from Jürgen Sparwasser, remembered as the one who gave victory to the Eastern bloc.

The FRG nevertheless ends up going all the way in the competition it hosts, and winning its second World Cup.

1986: Argentina - England

On June 22, Argentina and England meet in the quarter-finals in Mexico City, four years after the Falklands War, which left 649 Argentines and 255 Britons dead.

Argentinian football legend Diego Armando Maradona prepares to score the "goal of the century" against England on June 22, 1986 in Mexico City during a World Cup quarter-final against England (2-1) STAFF AFP/Archives

The atmosphere is very tense between these two teams whose countries have not maintained diplomatic relations since 1982.

At each match of the competition, Argentinian supporters display banners "the Falklands are Argentinian" and sing nationalist songs calling for "kill the English".

On the sidelines of the quarter-finals, clashes broke out between ultras on both sides, causing several dozen minor or serious injuries.

Argentina won the match, largely thanks to the genius of Diego Maradona, author of two legendary goals - the "hand of God" then the "goal of the century".

The mythical Argentinian playmaker will admit: "It was a final for us. It was not about winning a match, it was about eliminating the English."

1998: Iran - United States

For its second participation in a World Cup, Iran found itself in 1998 in the group of the United States, its sworn enemy.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries have been broken since the hostage taking of the American embassy in Tehran, which followed the Iranian Revolution of 1979.

This match, played on June 21 in Lyon, represents an opportunity for peace.

After the anthems, the American footballers shake hands with their opponents by offering them pennants.

Each of them receives in return a bouquet of white roses.

Players from both teams then come together to take an arm-in-arm photo.

The players of Iran and the United States pose for a joint photo before the match between their two selections at the Mondial-98, June 21, 1998 in Lyon (France) PASCAL GEORGE AFP / Archives

The Iranians win 2-1, signing their first World Cup victory.

2018: Switzerland - Serbia

On June 22 in Kaliningrad, Serbia faces Switzerland, which has several players of Kosovar origin.

Kosovo is a former province of Serbia mainly populated by Albanians.

Ten years after a conflict that was the last war that led to the explosion of the former Yugoslavia, Kosovo declared its independence in 2008. This is not recognized by Serbia and relations between Belgrade and Pristina are execrable.

Granit Xhaka, born in Switzerland of Kosovar family, and Xherdan Shaqiri, born in Kosovo, scored a goal each, allowing Switzerland to take the advantage over Serbia (victory 2-1).

The two players celebrate their goals by miming the eagle of the Albanian flag with both hands, a gesture of support for Kosovo, provoking the ire of the Serbian press, which denounces a "shameful provocation".

They will be sanctioned by Fifa, fined 8,660 euros each.

© 2022 AFP