In a thrilling World Cup semi-final that left fans on the edge of their seats, Argentina seized a 2-1 victory over England, prompting their players to unveil a bold banner proclaiming ‘The Falklands are Argentinian’.
Among those jubilantly displaying the message on the field were Cristian Romero, captain of Tottenham, alongside former Spurs midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, and Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez, all celebrating the hard-fought triumph after the final whistle.
The events stirred memories of the 1982 Falklands War, a conflict where 255 British soldiers lost their lives, part of a total of 907 fatalities, as the UK forces reclaimed the territory following an Argentine invasion.
Given the political sensitivity surrounding the Falklands, FIFA had imposed restrictions on related flags at the stadium, and this incident is poised for scrutiny by football authorities.
The origins of the controversial banner remained shrouded in mystery.
Tension over the ownership of the islands, which are located 300 miles off the coast of Argentina but owned by Britain, had been a major talking point in the build-up to the match.
Argentina’s players were captured singing a chant in which they claimed the Falkland Islands were theirs in the aftermath of their last-16 victory over Egypt.
The country’s Foreign Minister, Pablo Quirno, also claimed the people living on the islands had been ‘artificially implanted’ – and that a referendum on British sovereignty was illegitimate.
Giovani Lo Celso and teammate Nicolas Otamendi celebrated on the pitch with the sign after the final whistle blew – before they were joined by their fellow teammates
Argentina players hold up a banner with the words ‘Las Malvinas son Argentinas’ which translates to ‘The Malvinas are Argentine’
Argentina fans hold a banner with the words ‘The Malvinas are Argentinian’, referring to the Falkland Islands
Falklanders were asked in a 2013 ballot whether they wanted the islands to remain under British rule, with 99.8 per cent voting yes.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper rejected the referendum attack and tried to cool tensions.
The animosity dates back principally to a ten-week war in 1982, when an Argentinian invasion of the Falklands was seen off by the British – at the cost of 907 lives.
It spilled over into football four years later when Maradona scored his infamous ‘hand of God’ goal in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final clash.
He used his fist to put the opening goal past England, allowing Argentina to win 2-1 and go on to claim the World Cup trophy.
During tonight’s match, an impressive performance from the Three Lions at the start of the second half saw Antony Gordon put the side in front.
But substitutions to send England into a defensive set-up would heartbreakingly backfire.
England were just less than six minutes away from their first World Cup final for 60 years when Enzo Fernandez scored the equaliser that denied them.
Captain Harry Kane comforts goal scorer Anthony Gordon after the final whistle following their 2-1 defeat to Argentina
The banner, which used the Argentinians native name for the Falklands – Las Malvinas – was also passed around the team’s jubilant crowd of supporters
Kane looks to the skies as Argentina celebrate on the final whistle in Atlanta, Georgia
Giovani Lo Celso adjusts the banner on the pitch after Argentina’s victory
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford sobs at the final whistle after England came within minutes of progressing to the World Cup final
This was followed two minutes into injury time by a header from Lautaro Martinez, who secured Argentina’s place in Sunday night’s final against Spain in New York.
England fans complained about the conduct of the Argentinian fans after the game. #
One supporter told the Mail: ‘Obviously [we] were upset about the game, walking out the stadium, minding our own business.
‘Some guy, Argentina fan, comes up waving his flag, shoves it in our face, winding us up.
‘You know obviously someone’s going to retaliate, right? But luckily we didn’t retaliate but there’s a lot of animosity.
‘When Argentina scored, an Argentinian guy next to me took his shirt off, waving it, slapping it in my face, absolutely disgusting.
‘Disgusting behaviour from the Argentinian fans, absolutely disgusting.
‘Tonight there’s not enough cops to police all of this. I’m telling you right now it’s going to kick off later in bars and stuff for sure, 100 per cent.’
The banner, which used the Argentinians’ native name for the Falklands – Las Malvinas – was passed into the crowd
It was England’s fourth-ever appearance in the final four of a World Cup, making this the most high-stakes match since 1966.
But in a story familiar to long-suffering fans, they just couldn’t keep ahead at the final whistle.
The royals were among those quick to congratulate the team for their impressive run to the semis, with King Charles III taking to social media and writing: ‘Commiserations to Harry and the team.
‘While you Three Lions may be licking your wounds today, you remain the pride of a nation – and will rise again.’
And outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to England’s ‘passion’ and ‘energy’.
Writing on X, he said: ‘Gutted. Tonight wasn’t the result we all hoped for, but this England team has given it their all.
‘The passion and energy they’ve shown representing the badge has made us all proud.’