England’s national anthem was drowned out by Argentinian boos and chants before Three Lions fans repaid the gesture as tensions boiled over before their seismic World Cup semi-final even kicked off.
Sharing a storied footballing rivalry, this last-four clash also has a sharp historical edge to it, with conflict over the Falkland Islands forming part of the narrative going into the match in Atlanta.
Argentina invaded the British Overseas Territory in 1982 but emphatically lost the Falklands War in 74 days, which claimed the lives of 907 people: 649 Argentine military personnel, 255 from Britain and three Falkland Islanders.
Argentina still vehemently believe that the archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, which sits 300 miles away from its east coast, should be under its sovereignty, with the cause enshrined in much of the country’s culture, including its football.
As the players lined up around the centre-circle for the national anthems, Argentina fans were deafening with their chants of “whoever doesn’t jump is English”, before heavily booing “God Save the King”.
England fans responded in toe by jeering Argentina’s anthem, setting the tone for the feisty semi-final that was being anticipated.
“I am looking forward to it, and I am excited. Listening to those national anthems – that was brilliant. They don’t like each other and that is fine,” said former England striker Alan Shearer on BBC commentary.
Argentina’s vice-president stoked the fire pre-match by calling England “invaders” and “usurping pirates” before their semi-final clash, but others insist that expression surrounding the Falklands does not represent a hatred towards the British.
The April 2 War Veterans Federation has called on the match to banish the Falklands from the narrative, saying in a statement: “Sport is not war: The semi-final match is a global sporting event, not an armed rematch or a form of historical redress.”
