Argentina stars hold musical “minute’s silence” for England after World Cup semifinal win
Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates celebrated reaching the final by mocking their historic rivals after a dramatic Atlanta clash.
There is no love lost between international heavyweights Argentina and England, as demonstrated in Wednesday’s 2026 World Cup semifinal, which the South Americans won after a late comeback in Atlanta.
On the field, “pathetic” Leandro Paredes did his utmost to get England captain Harry Kane sent off, while there was a heated exchange between Lionel Messi and Jude Bellingham. The Real Madrid star also drew criticism for clipping Argentina squad player Valentín Barco around the back of the head after full-time.
Argentina and England’s rivalry spills beyond the field
After the game, celebrating Argentina stars risked disciplinary action from FIFA by holding a banner reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas,” translated as “The Malvinas are Argentine,” a reference to the country’s long-standing claim over the Falkland Islands.
Argentina and the United Kingdom fought a 74-day undeclared war over the British Overseas Territory in 1982.
During England’s national anthem, Argentina fans in Atlanta attempted to drown it out by chanting “El que no salta es un inglés” (“Whoever does not jump is English”) over the top of it.
But after the game, it was the turn of the Argentina players to sing about their English counterparts.
Argentina players celebrate England’s elimination
Clips from the dressing room emerged of the newly qualified World Cup finalists holding a musical “minute’s silence” for England, who they declared “dead.”
The scenes are likely to further crank up the tension between two of international soccer’s biggest rivals.
At least they will not have to play each other again until, potentially, the 2030 World Cup.
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