Argentina’s World Cup celebrations took a controversial turn after players were filmed singing a version of a famous supporters’ anthem containing a reference to the Falkland Islands following their dramatic victory over Egypt.
Lionel Scaloni’s side looked destined for a shock exit after falling 2-0 behind in their last-16 tie in Atlanta.
But an extraordinary late comeback saw Cristian Romero spark the fightback before captain Lionel Messi levelled the scores four minutes later.
Enzo Fernandez then headed home deep into stoppage time to seal a remarkable 3-2 victory and book Argentina’s place in the quarter-finals, where they will face Switzerland.
After the final whistle, the Argentina squad celebrated inside the dressing room, with footage released by the Argentine Football Association showing players singing “Muchachos” – the anthem that has become synonymous with the national team in recent years.
The song, adapted by school teacher Fernando Romero from the La Mosca track “Muchachos, esta noche me emborracho”, first gained worldwide attention during Argentina’s successful 2022 World Cup campaign.
Its lyrics have since been updated for the 2026 tournament.
One line references “Las Malvinas” – Argentina’s name for the Falkland Islands – alongside tributes to Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.
Argentina’s World Cup celebrations took a controversial turn after players were filmed singing a version of a famous supporters’ anthem containing a reference to the Falkland Islands following their dramatic victory over Egypt
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Study up and learn, this is how La Scaloneta sings 🤩 pic.twitter.com/7KId82jDoc
— Selección Argentina in English (@AFASeleccionEN) July 8, 2026
Players were heard singing in Spanish: “I am Argentine from cradle to grave, for the Malvinas, for Diego, for Leo’s final chapter.”
The footage was shared by the Argentine Football Association across social media alongside the caption: “Study up and learn, this is how La Scaloneta sings.”
The Falkland Islands remain a politically sensitive issue. Argentina refers to the territory as “Las Malvinas”, while the islands have been under British administration since the 19th century, aside from the 1982 conflict that followed Argentina’s invasion.
The sovereignty dispute continues to be contested by Argentina.
Every team to have won the World Cup | GETTY/GB NEWS
Attention has also turned towards the possibility of a World Cup semi-final between Argentina and England.
Supporters have already begun looking ahead to a potential meeting, with videos circulating on social media showing fans chanting about England following the victory over Egypt.
One chant included the lyrics: “The English are scared because they know this squad has balls.
“At the Azteca they already ran, and in Miami we’re gonna make them run again.
“English, hold on just a little longer, we’re gonna meet soon.”
Elsewhere, thousands of supporters gathered around the Obelisk in Buenos Aires to celebrate Argentina’s dramatic comeback.
Videos from the celebrations showed fans jumping together while chanting: “And now you see, and now you see, whoever doesn’t jump is an Englishman.”
Before any meeting can take place, however, both nations must first negotiate difficult quarter-finals.
Lionel Messi helped Argentina beat Egypt at the World Cup on Tuesday
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Thomas Tuchel’s England face Norway on Saturday, while Argentina take on Switzerland for a place in the last four.
England and Argentina have produced some of the World Cup’s most memorable encounters over the decades.
England won the first meeting between the nations in 1962 before defeating Argentina again en route to lifting the trophy in 1966.
The rivalry intensified in 1986 when Diego Maradona scored both the infamous “Hand of God” goal and his celebrated solo effort in Argentina’s quarter-final victory.
Argentina also prevailed on penalties after David Beckham’s red card at the 1998 World Cup, before England gained revenge in the 2002 group stage through Beckham’s winning penalty.
The two countries last met in a senior international friendly in 2005, with England recording a 3-2 victory.
