As players celebrated on the pitch after the game, they held up a sign that read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas”, which translates as “The Falklands are Argentine”. It was not known how the banner made its way onto the field. <\/p>\n
Lisandro Mart\u00ednez and Giovani Lo Celso held up the banner and waved to fans in the stadium. <\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1784187434_534_a-banner-is-seen-on-the-pitch-following-argentinas-2-1-win-o-Q7WUYVZZ35EEDHWZ25DMEMJUA4.jpg\")
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A banner is seen on the pitch following Argentina’s 2-1 win over England. (Source: Getty)<\/p>\n
The banner refers to the dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands, which are found about 500km off the southern tip of South America. <\/p>\n
The islands are a British overseas territory, but Argentina also claims them on historical and geographical grounds. <\/p>\n
In 1982, Argentine forces invaded and occupied the archipelago, claiming the act was done to reclaim its own territory. It sparked a 74-day war, as the United Kingdom dispatched a task force to retake the Islands. <\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1784187435_386_a-line-of-british-soldiers-in-camouflage-advancing-across-ea-GP4AD2G4QFEJ3DOSRPTW67CZMA.jpg\")
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A line of British soldiers in camouflage advancing across East Falkland island for the final attack on Port Stanley during the Falklands War, June 1982. (Source: Getty)<\/p>\n
The conflict led to the deaths of 655 Argentinian and 255 British servicemen. Three Falkland Islanders also died. The war ended with Argentina’s surrender. <\/p>\n
While the two countries have since re-established diplomatic relations, sovereignty remains a point of contention, with Argentina still claiming the Falklands as part of its territory. A 2013 sovereignty referendum saw Falkland Islanders vote overwhelmingly to remain a British territory. <\/p>\n
The war is still a deeply emotive issue in Argentina, with the phrase used on the banner displayed in public places across the country. <\/p>\n
![\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1784187437_416_argentinian-soldiers-during-the-falklands-war-VTDRHIZYDVHPHM6IHJO3S5KWSY.jpg\")
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Argentinian soldiers during the Falklands War. (Source: Getty)<\/p>\n
FIFA’s stadium code of conduct bans \u201cbanners, flags, flyers, apparel and other paraphernalia that are of a political, offensive, and\/or discriminatory nature\u201d. <\/p>\n
In 2014, Argentina was fined by FIFA after its players displayed a similar banner. <\/p>\n
Following today’s game, images of the war had been invoked in Argentina. <\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1784187438_801_the-monument-to-malvinas-soldier-in-zapala-neuquen-province-254QZ2QTGJDP5COGERGFICZYJU.jpg\")
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The monument to Malvinas soldier in Zapala, Neuquen Province, Argentina, on August 15, 2025 (Source: Getty)<\/p>\n
On X, Vice President Victoria Villarruel wrote, “It wasn’t just another match”, alongside a video that appeared to show Argentine soldiers.<\/p>\n
Following Argentina’s quarter-final victory over Switzerland, players could be heard chanting: “For the Malvinas, for Diego [Maradona] and for Leo [Messi]\u2019s last one\u201d.<\/p>\n
The semi-final\u2019s the third to end their World Cup campaign since their sole victory in 1966. (Source: 1News)<\/p>\n
Midfielder Rodrigo De Paul said about the chants: We sing songs about our Malvinas heroes, mainly to remember them, but we have to understand that it\u2019s a football match and that the Malvinas have to be discussed elsewhere. <\/p>\n
“What happened was an atrocity, and we always remember the fallen, but what we want is to win this match to get to the final.\u201d<\/p>\n