Argentina declare July 15 as National Football Teams Day to celebrate Lionel Messi’s win over England | Football News

Argentina’s Football Association (AFA) has unanimously approved July 15 as “National Football Teams Day” to mark the national team’s comeback win over England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal.Argentina came from 1-0 down in the closing stages of the match to beat England 2-1 and qualify for their second straight World Cup final. Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez scored late goals after England had led until the 85th minute.“The date was chosen to commemorate the Albiceleste’s great and historic victory over England in the semi-final of the 2026 World Cup,” AFA said in a statement after Wednesday’s executive council meeting.“The team, led by Lionel Scaloni, were trailing the English side by a single goal but, thanks to goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez, managed to turn the result around and send the whole country into a frenzy, with people flooding the streets in celebration.”The victory over England also brought back Argentina’s long-standing claim over the Falkland Islands, which are about 8,000 miles from Great Britain and around 300 miles from the Argentine mainland.After the match, Argentina’s players held up a banner that read “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” (The Malvinas are Argentinian). Argentina refers to the Falkland Islands as Islas Malvinas.The gesture drew criticism in England, and the UK government called on FIFA to investigate the matter.Argentina President Javier Milei defended the players, calling the celebration “perfectly valid.” He said the message “reflects a sentiment shared by all Argentines,” although he expected FIFA to fine the team.Last weekend, Argentine club Almirante Brown also unveiled a new jersey carrying the same slogan claiming the country’s sovereignty over the Falkland Islands during a second-division league match.Argentina eventually lost the 2026 World Cup final to Spain.