Argentina prepares to face England in the World Cup semi-finals as players send off Switzerland by singing about the Falkland Islands
Argentina celebrates reaching the World Cup final four
Argentina’s players shouted they will beat England “for the Falklands” as the two rivals prepare to meet in the World Cup semi-finals next week.
The Three Lions defeated Norway in extra time and were able to sit back and watch the final quarter-final match between Argentina and Switzerland. Holder also needed extra time, but ultimately finished the job to seal a spot in the final four.
England vs. Argentina is not without its history, with the two teams meeting in three World Cups from 1986 to 2002. The political battles between the two teams have been well documented, and South Americans have referenced them in their celebrations.
After the victory over Switzerland, they started singing in the locker room and danced around singing: “For the Malvinas, for Diego, for the last time for Leo (Messi)”.
They also joined supporters in singing another anti-British chant that has been going on for decades. They chanted, “And you see it too, and you see it too, anyone who doesn’t jump is British.”
Malvinas Islands is Argentina’s term for the Falkland Islands, where 649 military personnel died after trying to take them back from Britain in 1982.
England and Argentina have not played each other since a friendly in 2005, when Michael Owen scored in stoppage time for the Three Lions to win. The last time the two faced each other was at the 2002 World Cup, which was decided by a David Beckham penalty.
England and Argentina have not played each other since 2002 (Image: Getty Images)
Argentina is aiming to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to remain in the World Cup. They had to dig deep in every knockout game, and Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez both scored in overtime on Sunday morning to seal their place in the last four.
The two teams have only faced each other once since Lionel Messi made his debut for Argentina at the age of 18, and he missed the friendly in Geneva because he was suspended after receiving a red card just 30 seconds into his debut.
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