Argentina vice president calls England ‘usurping pirates’ ahead of World Cup semi-final

By Sanjay Menon — 15 July 2026 — 3 min read

Argentina‘s Vice President Victoria Villarruel has referred to the English as “usurping pirates” ahead of the World Cup semi-final match between the two nations. Her comments were made in a post on X, emphasizing that the upcoming game is “not just another match.”

Villarruel’s remarks come as the football rivalry between Argentina and England is deeply intertwined with historical and political tensions, particularly concerning the sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands, which are known as the Malvinas in Argentina. She stated, “I’m not going to be politically correct or keep a cool head – it’s always something more against the English.”

The Vice President further highlighted the significance of the match by referencing key figures and nationalistic sentiments, saying, “It’s the Malvinas, it’s Diego, it’s Leo’s last run, and it’s about stopping the invaders in their tracks.” This statement alludes to the late football legend Diego Maradona and current star striker Lionel Messi, while also echoing a popular anthem sung by Argentine fans during the tournament: “Go Argentina! Because until our very last breath, we will keep claiming what is ours!”

Villarruel’s father participated in the 1982 Falklands War, a 74-day conflict between Argentina’s military dictatorship and the United Kingdom. The war resulted in a British victory, with 649 Argentines and 255 Britons losing their lives. The Falklands Islands, a British territory located approximately 480 km off Argentina‘s east coast, remain a symbol of nationalism in Argentina.

Historical Rivalry on the Pitch

The rivalry between Argentina and England extends across generations, encompassing football, history, politics, and colonialism. This long-standing animosity has produced numerous controversial moments, red cards, and iconic goals since their first World Cup meeting in 1962.

One of the most common chants among Argentine football fans and players is “And now you see, and now you see, whoever doesn’t jump is English.” This chant is frequently heard regardless of the opponent, but it is expected to carry increased hostility and emotion when Argentina faces the Three Lions in the upcoming semi-final in Atlanta.

The 1986 World Cup quarter-final remains a defining chapter in this rivalry, played just four years after the Falklands War. In that match, Diego Maradona scored the infamous “Hand of God” goal, followed by the “Goal of the Century” just four minutes later. Argentina ultimately went on to win the World Cup that year.

Other notable encounters include the 1966 World Cup quarter-final, which England won 1-0, a match still remembered in Argentina for its controversies. The 1998 World Cup round of 16 saw Argentina defeat England 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw, a game marked by David Beckham‘s red card. In 2002, England secured a 1-0 victory over Argentina in the group stage, with Beckham converting a penalty.

Messi’s First Encounter with England

Despite an international career spanning over two decades, with more than 200 appearances and 125 goals, Lionel Messi has never before played against England. This will change when Argentina meets England in the World Cup semi-final in Atlanta. The Argentina Football Association has described this match as “the match fate owed Messi.”

This upcoming fixture marks the return of one of football’s fiercest rivalries after 24 years since their last World Cup encounter. While Messi will experience this rivalry for the first time, many iconic Argentine number 10s, including Antonio Rattin, Diego Maradona, and Ariel Ortega, have previously participated in these highly charged matches.

In contrast to the Vice President’s strong statements, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni and several players have sought to downplay the political and historical implications of the match. Scaloni stated, “It’s a football match, plain and simple. So, mixing the two would be madness.”

To maintain focus on the sporting event, Argentine Security Minister Alejandra Monteoliva announced that under the security plan for the semi-final in Atlanta, fans will be prohibited from bringing flags or other items referencing the Falkland Islands into the stadium.

The semi-final match between Argentina and England is scheduled to take place on Thursday.

Source: aljazeera.com