Argentinian players celebrated their 2-1 victory over England in the World Cup semi-final with a provocative banner reading "The Malvinas are Argentine," referencing the contentious Falkland Islands. The celebration took place on Wednesday in Atlanta, where Tottenham midfielder Giovani Lo Celso was seen holding the sign while his teammates danced on the pitch.

FIFA rules prohibit political slogans on the pitch, yet the tension surrounding the Falklands, a British Overseas Territory since 1833, loomed large before the match. The historical backdrop includes the 1982 Falklands War, which resulted in the deaths of 907 people.

Key points surrounding the match include:

• Argentina’s ongoing claim over the Falklands, highlighted by chants and flags at football games.
• After their last-16 win over Egypt, Argentine players sang in celebration:

For the Malvinas, for Diego [Maradona], for Leo [Messi]’s last one.

• Pre-match comments from Argentina’s vice-president, Victoria Villarruel, labeled England as "invaders" and "usurping pirates," emphasizing the emotional stakes of the match.
• Argentina’s foreign minister, Pablo Quirno, dismissed the legitimacy of any unilateral UK referendum regarding the islands’ status.

In response, Downing Street firmly rejected these claims, asserting the islanders' right to self-determination as paramount.

Post-match, tensions escalated outside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with reports of fighting and police intervention, further highlighting the charged atmosphere surrounding the game.