Argentina launches national football celebration day to mark odd event

Millions of folk from across the South American nation will gather every July 15 to remember the day the team came from a goal down to KO the Three Lions in a controversial clash

Jerry Lawton Chief Reporter

16:53, 06 Aug 2026Updated 07:05, 07 Aug 2026

[Fans celebrate Argentina's victory beside the Malvinas (Falklands) War veterans monument]

Argentinian fans celebrate their victory over England beside their Malvinas (Falklands) War veterans monument in Ushuaia(Image: Cristian Urrutia / AFP via Getty Images)

Argentina is to hold a national celebration day to mark the anniversary of its World Cup semi-final victory over England.

July 15 will be national football teams day when folk across the South American country gather annually to remember their 2-1 triumph over Thomas Tuchel s Three Lions.

Argentinas Football Association voted unanimously to commemorate the occasion - even though they went on to lose the World Cup final to Spain.

Officials said fans have not stopped talking about the England victory despite it being marred by protest and violence.

Trailing 1-0 in the 85th minute Argentina - inspired by legend Lionel Messi - scored twice to KO England and reach their second successive World Cup final.

Skirmishes broke out between the teams at the end after Jude Bellingham lashed out at unused Argentina substitute Valentin Barco for his over-the-top celebrations.

FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against the South Americans after players displayed a banner declaring the Falkland Islands Argentinian.

But none of the controversy - nor their miserable 1-0 defeat in the final - stopped Argentinian football chiefs declaring the semi win great and historic following an executive meeting.

They said in a statement: The date was chosen to commemorate the Albiceleste's great and historic victory over England in the semi-final of the 2026 World Cup.

The team, led by Lionel Scaloni, were trailing the English side by a single goal.

[Argentina's players hold a banner reading "The Malvinas (Falkland Islands) belong to Argentina,"]

Argentina celebrating with the controversial banner after their win(Image: Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)

But, thanks to goals from Enzo Fernndez and Lautaro Martnez, managed to turn the result around and send the whole country into a frenzy with people flooding the streets in celebration.

The victory reignited the nations historical claim to the Falkland Islands which - though 8,000 miles from the UK and 300 miles from Argentina - remain British following a near 100% residents ballot.

Argentina President Javier Milei described the players' celebration with the banner as perfectly valid and said the message reflects a sentiment shared by all Argentines.

Almirante Brown, which plays in Argentinas second division, last weekend displayed their new jersey which carries the same slogan as the banner Las Malvinas son Argentinas.

Las Malvinas is Argentinas name for the Falklands.

The nations Football Association president Claudio Tapia said: I know that for Argentinians we won the World Cup the moment we beat England because that's really what everyone wanted.

We are proud of our national teams performance and of the fact that they created that sense of epic invincibility - that nobody could beat us.

[ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 15: Enzo Fernandez #24 of Argentina celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between England and Argentina at Atlanta Stadium on July 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)]

(Image: Shaun Botterill, Getty Images)

The final descended into mayhem too.

Argentina stars Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina and assistant coach Roberto Ayala are facing FIFA disciplinary proceedings for assault after clashing with Spanish players during the showpiece.

Officials are also probing allegations of racist abuse and inappropriate chanting.

Three Lions fans called on the English Football Association to declare a victory day on the July 19 anniversary of the final.

One said: Spain did the world a favour by beating the Argies. Every supporter on the planet should get together to celebrate a victory for football.

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