England and Argentina are set to reignite their bitter rivalry tonight as they face off for a place in the World Cup 2026 final.
It has been 21 years now since the two sides last met, in a friendly in Switzerland in 2005.
While their feisty showdowns on the pitch have defined generations, the crux of England and Argentina’s animosity off the pitch stems from the Falklands War, which took place over the course of 74 days in 1982.
The undeclared 10-week conflict saw Argentine forces invade and occupy the Falkland Islands and South Georgia before Britain responded by releasing a naval task force to the South Atlantic.
Intense fighting over land and sea took place before Argentina eventually surrendered on June 14.
The war claimed the lives of 649 Argentine military personnel, plus 255 British military personnel and three Falkland Island civilians.
The conflict remains a point of contention between the two countries, with the vice-president of Argentina, Victoria Villarruel, taking to X in the lead up to tonight’s semi-final to urge the national team to “claim what is ours” and “put the brakes on the invaders”, seemingly in reference to the Falklands.
Argentina’s chant that references ‘Las Malvinas’ - what the Falkland Islands are known as in Argentina - has been heard in the stands and in the dressing room after matches at this World Cup.
Mañana jugamos contra los piratas usurpadores.
— Victoria Villarruel (@VickyVillarruel) July 15, 2026
No es un partido más.
No voy a ser políticamente correcta ni pecho frío, contra los ingleses siempre es algo más. Es Malvinas, es el Diego, es la última de Leo y es pararle el carro a los invasores.
¡Aguante Argentina! Porque…
Villarruel wrote: “Tomorrow we play against the usurping pirates. This isn't just another match.
“I'm not going to be politically correct or cold-hearted; against the English, it's always something more. It's the Malvinas, it's Diego, it's Leo's last one, and it's putting the brakes on the invaders.
“Go Argentina! Because until our last breath, we're going to claim what's ours!”
Argentina Falklands chant: What does it mean and why do they sing it?
Argentina have several songs that reference the Falklands War.
After Argentina’s extra-time victory over Switzerland in the World Cup quarter-finals, players were filmed in the dressing room singing about Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona and ‘the Malvinas’ in a video posted on the team’s social media accounts.
The Argentina squad could be heard chanting: “Por Malvinas, por el Diego, por la ultima de Leo” as they celebrated reaching the semi-finals. The chant translates to “For the Malvinas, for Diego, for Leo’s last one (tournament).”
Supporters have also been heard chanting “Y ya lo ve, y ya lo ve,” whilst they bounce up and down, before continuing, “El que no salta, Es un ingles!”. This translates to “And now you see, and now you see, whoever doesn’t jump is English!”
The Falklands War remains a major symbol of patriotism in Argentina, and its ties to football are deeply ingrained, with the conflict taking place on either side of their first World Cup victories in 1978 and 1986.
When Argentina beat England in the quarter-finals en route to lifting the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, Maradona dedicated his infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal to the fallen Argentine soldiers from the Falklands War.
