Argentina has declared July 15 as 'National Football Teams Day' to celebrate their dramatic 2-1 victory over England in the 2026 World Cup semi-finals. The Argentine Football Association announced the new holiday, marking a historic moment in their football rivalry with England, 40 years after their controversial 1986 World Cup quarter-final clash.
What happened in the match?
England took an early lead through Anthony Gordon's 55th-minute strike in Atlanta, but Argentina's late surge saw them score twice in the final minutes to break English hearts. The win came 40 years after Argentina's infamous 'Hand of God' game against England in 1986. Argentina went on to lose 1-0 to Spain in the final, while England secured third place with a 6-4 victory over France.
Why the political controversy?
After the match, some Argentine players celebrated with a banner reading 'Las Malvinas son Argentinas,' reigniting tensions over the Falkland Islands. The islands, a British Overseas Territory, remain a point of contention between the UK and Argentina. The conflict over the islands in 1982 resulted in significant loss of life on both sides.
What's next for England?
England, currently leading their World Cup group with 7 points from 3 games (2 wins, 1 draw), will face Spain in their next fixture on September 26. With a goal difference of +4 and recent form of 4 wins in their last 5 matches, the team is in strong position as they prepare for their upcoming challenges.
