Argentina taunt England with commemorative day to celebrate World Cup win

Argentina’s post-match celebrations against England were shrouded in controversy (Picture: EPA)

The Argentine Football Association has created a special day to commemorate their side’s victory over England at the 2026 World Cup.

England and Argentina renewed their fierce rivalry for the first time in 21 years when both sides reached the semi-finals of this summer’s World Cup.

The fixture came 40 years on from England’s infamous 2-1 defeat to the Albiceleste, made famous by Diego Maradona’s controversial ‘Hand of God’ goal that secured a 2-1 win for Argentina.

And while England took the lead this time around through Anthony Gordon’s second-half strike, the Three Lions fell to a heartbreaking defeat by the same scoreline after two late Argentina goals.

Enzo Fernandez’s long-range effort levelled the match in the 85th minute before Lautaro Martinez headed home the winner in the 92nd minute.

And while Argentina would ultimately go on to lose in the final to Spain, the South Americans have decided to celebrate their achievements at this World Cup by creating ‘National Football Teams Day’.

The commemoration will be held on July 15 in tribute to the date of Argentina’s aforementioned victory over England.

Enzo Fernandez scored in Argentina’s win over England (Picture: Reuters)

‘The date was chosen to commemorate the Albiceleste’s great and historic victory over England in the semi-final of the 2026 World Cup,’ the association confirmed in a statement.

‘The team, led by Lionel Scaloni, were trailing the English side by a single goal but, thanks to goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez, managed to turn the result around and send the whole country into a frenzy, with people flooding the streets in celebration.

‘But the tribute is not only for that milestone of the Senior Team. The recognition, of course, is also for each and every one of the national teams (youth, men and women, futsal, beach soccer and field soccer), which day by day train at the Lionel Andrés Messi centre with the enthusiasm, joy and responsibility of defending the blue and white.’

Argentina unfurled the controversial banner at full-time (Picture: Getty)

Fifa have charged the South Americans following the World Cup (Picture: AP)

Argentina’s victory over England was quickly shrouded in controversy after some of their players celebrated while holding a banner reading ‘Las Malvinas son Argentinas’, which translates as ‘The Falklands are Argentine’.

The South Atlantic islands are a self-governing British Overseas Territory, but have historically been the source of tension between the two nations.

44 years ago, Argentina sought to invade and occupy the Falklands but ultimately surrendered after a 74-day war, which cost the lives of 255 British servicemen and 649 Argentinian personnel.