As I sat slumped at a table in an east London pub last night with my head in my hands, I felt a wave of fury, heartbreak and disappointment came over me. Hello again, old friend. England had once again handed victory to their opponent after having the upper hand. Inexplicably, Thomas Tuchel chose to have his players sit back way too early and record only 12% possession against a team that includes the best player in the world. Losing another semi final would hurt against any nation, but against Argentina it hurts that little bit more. They are obsessed with us. Fans have sung derogatory songs about Englishmen when they weren't even playing against us during the World Cup.
Argentina's Obsession with the Falklands
I visited Argentina earlier this year, and knew that the Falkland Islands, what they call the Malvinas, are shouted about often, and their image is a common sight on T-shirts, road signs, murals and banners. Sure enough, this was the case amongst Argentine fans at the world cup. The country's politicians have also piped up of late, demanding talks over the archipelago in the South Atlantic, which was regained by British forces during the Falklands War in 1982.
As I sulked with a pint of Red Stripe, wondering if I would ever see England win something before I expire, a friend showed me a photo of the Argentine players with a banner declaring "Las Malvinas Son Argentinas". My eyes rolled. I was not surprised at all. As well as erroneous, this phrase is incredibly irritating. Spending time in Buenos Aires, I felt at times like I had passed through the looking glass, as locals genuinely believe that Britain will be forced to hand over the islands.
Players Should Keep Politics Out of Football
If the Argentine squad had any good grace whatsoever, they would have kept the politics out of the game yesterday, congratulated the English players for their efforts and celebrated with their fans, without the unpleasant, vengeful glee. Leandro Paredes excused the players' actions by saying that last night's game "wasn't just a football match" and the Falklands War as "a sad part of our history". This does not wash. It was a football match, not another skirmish on the battlefield, which the British would probably win.
Double Standards and Hypocrisy
Some English fans are guilty of singing songs about the Germans when we play them, but any petty chants are kept in the stands. England's players do not indulge in any of that sort of stuff, and stay professional. Argentina's players are talented individuals and experts at their craft, bringing joy to millions and winning on a regular basis. But they let themselves down last night, and I hope they get handed down a significant punishment - not one that can just be brushed off - by FIFA. An organisation that is fickle and spineless and can be influenced (allegedly) by Donald Trump into dropping a red card will not do this, of course.
Premier League Stars Should Choose Sides
I would ask the Argentine players who live and play in England this: if you dislike us so vehemently, why don't you go somewhere else? You're perfectly happy to earn shed loads of money in London, Manchester, or whichever city you apply your trade in, and then slag us all off and back a nonsensical notion that a territory of the United Kingdom proudly lived on by Brits is actually Argentinian.
