Argentina Display Malvinas Banner After Stunning England Semi-Final Comeback
Argentina’s World Cup campaign took a politically charged turn on Tuesday after players held up a banner reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” on the pitch following their dramatic semi-final victory over England in Atlanta.
According to The Guardian, Lisandro Martínez and Giovani Lo Celso were photographed grinning as they displayed the banner and waved to fans in the stands. The origin of the banner was not established at the time of reporting.
The message refers to the disputed territory known as the Falkland Islands in Britain and the Islas Malvinas in Argentina, whose sovereignty triggered a 74-day armed conflict in 1982. More than 900 people lost their lives in that war — 649 Argentinians and 255 Britons — making the reference a deeply sensitive one for supporters on both sides.
The display came after an extraordinary match. Argentina were losing 1-0 with five minutes remaining before scoring twice in quick succession to seal a place in the final, where they will meet Spain in New Jersey on Sunday. You can follow all the action through our World Cup 2026 hub and check the live standings as the tournament reaches its conclusion.
The incident is not the first time political symbolism has surfaced at this World Cup. Iranian Americans waved pre-revolutionary flags — seen as symbols of protest against the Tehran government — during Iran’s matches in Los Angeles last month, without those games being affected.
Fifa’s stadium code of conduct explicitly bans “banners, flags, flyers, apparel and other paraphernalia that are of a political, offensive, and/or discriminatory nature” inside grounds. Fifa had not responded to a request for comment at the time The Guardian published its report.
Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul addressed the subject directly after the match, acknowledging the emotional weight of the fixture while urging caution. “The Malvinas have to be discussed elsewhere,” he said, adding that the players sing about their Malvinas heroes “mainly to remember them” but recognising that the priority was reaching the final.
Argentina’s security minister, Alejandra Monteoliva, confirmed that 1,600 officers would be deployed for upcoming celebrations and that items carrying provocative political or racial messages would be prohibited from entry.
For UK fans, the episode is an uncomfortable reminder that football between Argentina and England rarely arrives without historical baggage — and this World Cup has proved no different.