Argentina announce new national day to celebrate World Cup semi-final win over England – after victory reignited South Americans’ claim to the Falkland Islands
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has announced July 15 will be ‘National Football Teams Day’ to mark Argentina’s semi-final victory over England during this summer’s World Cup on that date.
Argentina came from behind to beat England 2-1 late on in Atlanta, with Lionel Messi recording two assists as Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez scored in the 85th and 92nd minutes to book their second consecutive World Cup final.
It was regarded as a historic moment for the country, who celebrated the triumph as a political one, too, a chance to assert their claim over the Falkland Islands (Las Malvinas), which Britain has ruled since January 1833. Players celebrated with a banner that read ‘Las Malvinas son Argentinas’, which translates to ‘The Falkland Islands are Argentinian’, after the final whistle.
‘The date was chosen to commemorate Argentina’s historic victory over England in the World Cup semi-final,’ AFA said.
‘Lionel Scaloni’s team was trailing the English side by a single goal, but with goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez, they turned the game around, sending the entire nation into a frenzy of celebration.
‘But the tribute isn’t just for that milestone achieved by the senior national team.
Argentina came from behind to beat England 2-1 late on in Atlanta, with Lionel Messi recording two assists as Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez scored in the 85th and 92nd minute
It was regarded as a historic moment for the country, who celebrated the triumph as a political one, too, a chance to assert their claim over the Falkland Islands (Las Malvinas)
‘The recognition, of course, also extends to each and every one of the national teams (youth, men’s and women’s, futsal, beach soccer, and field football), who train daily at the Lionel Andres Messi training complex with the hope, joy and responsibility of representing Argentina.’
The lifting of the banner triggered a fierce backlash in the UK, with former Prime Minister Keir Starmer insisting that while ‘the World Cup might not be ours, the Falkland Islands definitely are. Self-determination rests with the islanders and our commitment to the Falklands will never waver’.
FIFA’s rules forbid the use of any political messaging at the World Cup and Starmer called for an investigation into the matter, which the governing body last week confirmed.
Argentina President Javier Milei described the players’ celebration with the banner as ‘perfectly valid,’ and said the message ‘reflects a sentiment shared by all Argentines,’ although he expected FIFA to sanction the team with a fine.
‘I know that for Argentinians, we won the World Cup the moment we beat England because that’s really what everyone wanted,’ AFA president Claudio Tapia said during the recent AFA Sponsor Day.
Tapia added: ‘We are proud of our national teams’ performance, and of the fact that they created that sense of epic invincibility – that nobody could beat us.’
FIFA have also opened disciplinary proceedings into two Argentina players, Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina, along with Argentina coach Roberto Ayala, over allegations of assault following their conduct in the ugly scenes that marred the World Cup final against Spain.
Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time and the post-match scenes involved violent clashes between the players, with Argentina midfielder Paredes throwing Spain’s Gavi to the floor
Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time and the post-match scenes involved violent clashes between both sets of players. Spain’s captain Rodri was struck by Molina as he went to celebrate with his team-mates, before Dani Olmo was punched by coach Ayala.
Argentina midfielder Paredes also attacked Eric Garcia by grabbing him by the neck and then, along with team-mate Thiago Almada’s help, threw unused Spanish substitute Gavi to the floor.
Paredes faces three counts of assault, Molina faces two counts (one completed and one attempted) and Ayala is charged with one count.
The trio, as well as the winger Thiago Almada and the Spanish midfielder Gavi, have also been charged with unsporting behaviour following the post-match brawl.
The FIFA investigation covers potential breaches ‘in light of discriminatory chants and gestures, late kick-offs, failure to comply with match and security protocols, the display of inappropriate messages by the team and spectators and the throwing of objects by spectators’ during several Argentina matches at the World Cup.
Credit: Daily Mail
