Argentina celebrated their World Cup victory over England on Wednesday night by displaying a provocative banner reading "The Malvinas (Falkland Islands) belong to Argentina." The banner was taken from supporters in the crowd and held aloft by several players, including former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Giovanni Lo Celso.
Banner Echoes President's Words
The banner echoed the words of Argentine President Javier Milei, who earlier this year wrote that the islands "were, are and will always be Argentine." Argentina inherited the islands, known in English as the Falkland Islands, after gaining independence from Spain in 1816.
Historical Context
Britain took control of the Falkland Islands in 1833. During Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's government in 1982, a brief war was fought between the United Kingdom and Argentina over the islands, resulting in a British victory. The dispute over sovereignty remains unresolved.
