‘Cocky’ Argentina Fans Filmed Burning, Spitting on England Flag After Semifinal Win

Argentina fans burnt the England flag after their team defeated the European nation to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

‘Cocky’ Argentina Fans Filmed Burning, Spitting on England Flag After Semifinal Win

Flag burned by fans after FIFA World Cup semi-final (Image via Sky Sports/X)

Hooliganism is an ugly part of soccer that gives the sport a bad reputation. Fans often urge others to keep politics out of sports, but at the end of the day, it sneaks in one way or the other. A simple game of soccer turns into a battle of ideologies, leading to outbursts of raw emotions, similar to the scenes after the World Cup semi-final between Argentina and England.

Both nations have massive followers in the US and across the world. One is a defending champion, and the other last won the coveted WC trophy in 1966.

Before the high-voltage game in Atlanta, England had a 3-2 all-time record against Argentina in the World Cup—including the infamous “Hand of God” incident in 1986, which ended the Three Lions’ quest for a second winner’s medal. However, England won their last WC fixture against the Argentines in 2002.

The tensions were already high, but it turned political after the media dug up the “Falkland Wars.” For the uninitiated, the Falkland Islands are a group of islands near mainland Argentina, which the United Kingdom fully colonized in 1833. However, in April 1982, a war broke out between the Argentine and UK navies. The 74-day conflict ended with the UK winning the war.

At Atlanta, however, the Argentines emerged victorious thanks to a couple of late assists from star captain Lionel Messi. After the referee blew the final whistle, chaos erupted on the streets with Argentina fans burning English flags.

One video showed an Argentina fan placing an England flag on the ground and spitting on it. Then an entire crowd of people stomped on it before the clip cut off.

The South Americans advanced to the Final, where they will face off against Spain. England, on the other hand, has to play the third-place game against the French.

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Argentina players’ controversial post-game display sparked outrage

The First half at the Atlanta Stadium went goal-less. It took nearly an hour of game time to break the deadlock, and it came from the cleats of England winger Anthony Gordon.

'Cocky' Argentina Fans Filmed Burning, Spitting on England Flag After Semifinal Win
Lionel Messi (Image via Sky Sports)

La Albiceleste sat back and endured pressure. Most of their moves went through Messi, and in the 85th minute, the Inter Miami man hit a silky pass to his teammate Enzo Fernández, who scored the equalizing goal.

It didn’t take long for Messi to weave his magic wand once again. A couple of minutes into added time, Messi looped a ball into the English penalty box, which was finished off by a Lautaro Martinez header.

After the game ended, a few Argentine players displayed a handwritten flag from the pitch. It read “Las Malvinas son argentinas” or “The Malvinas are Argentine.” The Falkland Islands are addressed as Malvinas in the local Spanish dialect.

This display drew widespread criticism, and even 10th Downing Street (residence of the British Prime Minister) has gotten involved. They have demanded that FIFA investigate the matter immediately. The prime minister’s official spokesperson told the BBC:

The World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are. Our commitment to the Falklands will never waver.

For casual fans, this might seem a bit over the top, but seasoned veterans have seen similar scenes back in 2014. Back then, FIFA fined the Argentine FA twenty thousand euros.

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