During the 90 minutes, the semifinal between Argentina and England took place without incidents related to the historic conflict over the Malvinas Islands. However, the debate reappeared as soon as the meeting ended.
While celebrating the 2-1 comeback and qualification for the 2026 World Cup final, several Argentine players raised a flag with the legend “The Malvinas are Argentine” in front of the Albiceleste fans at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The image quickly spread on social networks and international media.
The gesture contrasted with the measures announced before the game.
FIFA had asked to leave politics out of the stadium
In the run-up to the match, Argentine authorities reported that, in coordination with FIFA, US security forces and British representatives, it would not be permitted to enter the stadium with flags, t-shirts or posters related to the Malvinas, as these were messages considered to have political content.
The objective was to prevent one of the most historically charged rivalries in football from leading to incidents or demonstrations unrelated to sporting development.
During the game, that purpose seemed to be fulfilled.
Neither on the field nor in the stands were there any incidents that altered the normal development of the semifinal.
The celebration reopened a debate that the organization tried to avoid
The situation changed after the final whistle.
In the midst of the celebrations, a flag with the inscription “The Malvinas are Argentine” She reached the Argentine players, who held her during the celebration before continuing with the celebrations on the grass.
The images went viral a few minutes later and once again placed the conflict at the center of the public conversation, despite the fact that throughout the day the emphasis had been on keeping the match within the sporting field.
Until the closing of this edition, FIFA had not reported on the opening of any procedure related to that celebration.
A rivalry that transcends football
The crossing between Argentina and England is usually accompanied by historical references due to the 1982 war and the Argentine claim to the Falkland Islands, administered by the United Kingdom.
On the eve of the match, images of Diego Maradona against England in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico and statements by Argentine political leaders who made reference to the dispute over the islands also reappeared on social networks.
However, during the meeting the protagonists avoided transferring that debate to the field of play.
Lionel Scaloni had asked to concentrate solely on the sporting aspect and the semi-final was played without incidents related to the political context.
An image that transcended the result
Argentina secured its qualification for the final with a comeback built thanks to assists from Lionel Messi and goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez.
However, one of the most widespread images of the night did not correspond to a play from the game.
It was that of a flag that appeared only after the match and that returned to the center of the conversation a historical dispute that the organization had tried to keep off the World Cup stage.