Lo Celso unfurls Falklands banner as Argentina eliminate England in World Cup semi-final

Giovani Lo Celso sparked political controversy after Argentina’s 2-1 World Cup semi-final victory over England, with the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder photographed holding a banner reading ‘Las Malvinas son Argentinas’ — ‘The Falklands are Argentinian’ — during the post-match celebrations.

Argentina had trailed at the New York New Jersey Stadium after Anthony Gordon gave England the lead in the second half, but goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez completed a late comeback to send the South Americans through to the final. Nine minutes of stoppage time were played before the final whistle confirmed England’s elimination.

Lo Celso, who was an unused substitute on the night, unfurled the banner on the pitch amid jubilant scenes. The display directly references the 1982 Falklands War, in which Argentina invaded the British Overseas Territory before being defeated by British forces. The islands remain a deeply contested subject in Argentina, where popular sentiment holds that the South Atlantic archipelago belongs to the country.

It remains unclear whether FIFA or the Argentine Football Association (AFA) will face sanctions over the incident. FIFA’s regulations explicitly prohibit political displays, stating: “Items of a political, offensive, sexual, discriminatory or commercial nature are strictly prohibited and may result in expulsion from the stadium.”

For England, the defeat continued a painful pattern at this World Cup. The Three Lions have now been eliminated at the semi-final stage twice in the last three tournaments, and on both occasions they had taken the lead — a record no other nation shares.

Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, will face Spain in the World Cup Final on Sunday.