The Argentine Football Association has proclaimed 15 July as National Football Teams Day, commemorating Argentina's thrilling 2026 World Cup semi-final victory against England on that date.

In a gripping match held in Atlanta, England initially took the lead with a 55th-minute goal from Anthony Gordon. However, Argentina turned the tide late in the game, scoring two goals in the 85th and 92nd minutes to secure a dramatic 2-1 victory.

This win marks a significant moment, occurring 40 years after Argentina's famous quarter-final triumph over England in the 1986 World Cup, a match steeped in controversy.

The aftermath of the game reignited political tensions, as some Argentine players celebrated by displaying a banner stating "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" ("The Falklands are Argentine"). This phrase highlights the ongoing sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory located in the south-west Atlantic Ocean.

The historical backdrop includes the 1982 invasion by Argentina, led by a military junta under General Leopoldo Galtieri, which resulted in a 74-day conflict that claimed the lives of 655 Argentine and 255 British servicemen, along with three islanders.

In a 2013 referendum, an overwhelming 99.8% of Falkland Islanders voted to remain part of the UK, underscoring the complex legacy of this territorial dispute.