The game was over, once again in agonizing fashion. And Argentina was heading to yet another World Cup final after defeating England. But as players celebrated on the field with fans, one sign became the focus of attention. And it wasn’t one being carried by fans. Instead, it was one displayed by the Argentina players themselves. It read: Las Malvinas Son Argentinas.
Even though before the game everyone from Lionel Scaloni, Argentina’s head coach, to some of the biggest players, tried to say the semifinal clash against England was just fútbol, the sign made it clear it wasn’t. Or, it was. And Argentina won fair and square in fútbol. The other war, though, the one they lost decades ago, still stings. And they are still not ready to let go.
The Islas Malvinas, or Falkland Islands in English, are an archipelago located in the South Atlantic Ocean, on the Patagonian Shelf. The main islands are about 300 miles east of Argentina’s southern coast. And they are a British Overseas Territory.
A British Overseas Territory off the coast of Argentina? Yes. And it’s one whose sovereignty has been part of an ongoing dispute between the two countries. By location, they should rightfully be part of Argentina. But the British have had control of the islands since their naval forces removed Argentinian authorities and population and took control of the islands in 1883.
In 1982, Argentina attempted to take back the islands in the so-called Falklands War. The British, with one of the strongest armies in the world, won. That’s when fútbol comes into play. Or, where the rivalry between two nations with a long history in the sport starts to become about more than just the game.
Fast forward to the 1986 quarterfinals.
Argentina vs. England, just four years after the end of the Falklands War. Argentina won 2-1, aided by perhaps the best goal scored in World Cup history, and a goal Diego Maradona scored with his hand. Yes, the infamous “Hand of God” goal. Some might consider it cheating. But for Argentina, it was payback; victory against the colonial power that to this day still holds a territory they consider rightfully theirs.
It’s been forty years since 1986, but las Islas Malvinas were still on Argentina’s mind as they once again faced off against England in a futbol match, this time in the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup. And once again, Argentina won 2-1. There was “Hand of God” this time though. Just two assists from the player most people would argue surpassed Diego Maradona as the best to ever wear the Argentina jersey.
After the game, the sign came out. “Las Malvinas Son Argentinas,” it read. And this comes after fans had been forbidden from bringing any signs with political messaging into the stadium. So the players did it for them.
The result will likely lead to a fine. FIFA prohibits political displays. And Argentina was previously fined 20k for a similar sign with the same words in 2014. But the sign in 2026 proves that the dispute is as alive as it has ever been. Proof of that comes in the form of just days before the game, Argentina protested that English ships were moving through Argentinian waters near the islands, without properly notifying Argentinian authorities.
The statement ended with the phrase “by history, by right and by conviction, las Malvinas are Argentinian.”
On the field, during the July 15th game, Argentinian players and fans agreed. And the physical game between the two countries was proof that even though this war happened before most of the people involved in this game were even born, it’s still very much present. That’s especially true for those who feel they were the victims of a colonizing power.
People who fought in the 1982 Falklands War celebrated the proclamation. “There are matches that transcend football,” former footballer, coach, and veteran Omar De Felippe tweeted. “As a veteran of the Malvinas, today I just want to thank these boys for the enormous joy and the immense caress to the soul that they gifted us.”
“Sports never change history, but sometimes it helps heal emotions that remain very much alive,” he added. Argentina won the semifinal against England. But for them, it was so much more than a match. It was a reminder that, sometimes, the little guy wins. Even if only on the fútbol field.