After victory over England, Argentina players extend the flag: Malvines are silverite

However, the champions' celebrations in power were not limited to sports success. A few minutes after the match ended, some of the Argentine football players displayed a flag with the “inscription on the field Las Malvinas son of Argentinas” (“Malvinas are Arginian”), turning to attention one of the most sensitive historical disputes between Argentina and the United Kingdom.

Among the players carrying the flag were Giovanni Lo Celso and Lisdro Martínez, while the rest of the team gathered around him during celebrations at Atlanta Stadium.

The clashes between Argentina and England often have a dimension beyond football. The sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands, which Argentina calls the Malvinas Islands, remains a sensitive issue since the 1982 war.

Before the match, Coach Lionel Scalon had called for the duel to be seen only as a football match. Yet, the gesture of footballers showed that victory over England also had a symbolic meaning for them.

Due to the sensitivity of the challenge, US authorities had organised strict security measures with more than 1,600 effective police officers, while FIFA had warned that no political or provocative messages would be tolerated during the match.

Argentina Security Minister Alejandra Monteoliva had declared before the meeting that fans would not be allowed to enter the stadium with flags or symbols containing political or provocative messages, including those related to the Malvina issue. According to Reuters report, restrictions included symbols related to the 1982 war.

Despite that, after celebrating players in the field, some banners with the same message were also seen in the stadium's stands.

The Falkland War (Malvina) took place from April 2 to June 14, 1982, after Argentina invaded islands administered by the United Kingdom. The conflict ended with the British victory after 74 days of fighting, where 649 Argentinan soldiers and 255 British soldiers lost their lives.

Even today, sovereignty over the Falkland/Malvinas is still at odds between Argentina and the United Kingdom, as matches between the two countries continue to carry a special historical and emotional burden. /Periscopi