Lionel Scaloni insists the World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina is “just a football match” — a plea for calm that his own vice-president immediately undercut with a vow to “put the invaders in their place.”
Argentina’s manager, speaking ahead of Wednesday’s clash at Atlanta Stadium, refused to be drawn into the political rivalry that has long simmered beneath one of international football’s most storied fixtures. The two nations have not met in a World Cup knockout stage since 1998, but the shadow of the Falklands War — a 74-day conflict in 1982 that killed 649 Argentine soldiers, 255 British troops and three civilians — remains impossible to ignore.
“Scaloni urges football-politics separation before England semi-final; Argentina VP stokes Falklands tensions.”
“The reality is that this is a football match. I can’t mix things up, especially out of respect for what happened so many years ago,” Scaloni said. “It was a very sad period in our history, and there isn’t much we can do about it. Things are happening elsewhere in the world, and we criticise the existence of war. We certainly remember those people, of course. But it is a football match; we shouldn’t confuse the two.”
Argentina’s vice-president, Victoria Villarruel, chose a different register. In a post on X, she cited the chant Argentina’s players sang after their dramatic 3-2 win over Egypt in the last-16 — a song that references the Falklands, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. “This is not just another match. I’m not going to be politically correct — against the English, it’s always something more,” she wrote. “It’s the Malvinas, it’s Diego, it’s Leo’s last one, and it’s about putting the invaders in their place. Long live Argentina! Because until our very last breath, we will reclaim what is ours!”
Earlier this week, authorities announced increased security measures in Atlanta because of the historical tensions between the two nations. England are seeking to reach their first World Cup final since 1966; Argentina are the defending champions, and the match will be only the second time England have faced an Argentina side featuring Messi — the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has never played against England before.
A victory would send Thomas Tuchel’s side to the final, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer has indicated a public holiday would be granted only if England win the tournament. Starmer, who reportedly plans to fly to New York to watch the final in person if England progress, said he did not want to “jinx” the squad. Any bank holiday would likely fall on Friday 24 July, allowing time for an open-top bus parade through London.
For now, though, Scaloni’s attempt to keep the focus on football faces its stiffest test. The match kicks off at 8pm BST; the history, as Villarruel made clear, will not stay in the dressing room.