Argentina declare July 15 national day to mark World Cup win over England

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has designated July 15 as National Football Teams Day to commemorate Argentina's dramatic victory over England in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Argentina secured a place in their second consecutive World Cup final with a late 2-1 comeback win in Atlanta, overturning England's lead with two goals in the closing minutes.

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England, chasing a first World Cup final appearance since their 1966 triumph, had taken control when Anthony Gordon scored in the 55th minute. However, Thomas Tuchel's side were unable to hold on as Argentina struck in the 85th and 92nd minutes to snatch victory.

The result came exactly 40 years after Argentina's controversial 1986 World Cup quarter-final victory over England, a match remembered for Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" goal and his celebrated solo effort.

The latest meeting between the two nations also reignited political tensions. Following the final whistle, several Argentina players celebrated with a banner reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" ("The Falklands are Argentine").

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The Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic, remain at the centre of a long-running sovereignty dispute between the United Kingdom and Argentina.

In 1982, Argentina's military government under General Leopoldo Galtieri invaded the islands, located around 300 miles off the Argentine mainland. The ensuing 74-day conflict, fought between April and June that year, claimed the lives of 655 Argentine servicemen, 255 British servicemen and three islanders.

A 2013 referendum saw 99.8 per cent of Falkland Islanders vote in favour of remaining a British Overseas Territory.

Argentina went on to lose 1-0 to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, while England defeated France 6-4 to finish third.