Argentina celebrated their World Cup semi-final win over England on the pitch with a political banner referring to the Falklands War on Wednesday.

The islands in the South Atlantic are owned by the UK but Argentina invaded in 1982 before being removed by British troops in the conflict.

"Las Malvinas son argentinas" ("The Malvinas are Argentinian") could be read in capital letters in dark writing on a white sheet first held by midfielder Giovani Lo Celso and then other players. The banner had also been visible in the stands in Atlanta.

Unused substitute Lo Celso previously played in England for Tottenham Hostpur.

"And they will always be Argentinian," midfielder Leandro Paredes said when asked about the banner.

"We were aware of what this game meant for this country. We tried to represent our country and all those who lived through this sad moment in our history, so that they could identify with us and we could convey a positive image."

The United Kingdom refuses to negotiate over Argentina's claim to the islands.

World football body FIFA bans players and officials from displaying political messages around World Cup matches. The Argentina team could therefore face sanctions.

The build-up to the match was dominated by the Falklands as well as memories of feisty meetings on the pitch including when Diego Maradona scored with a handball in the 1986 quarter-final.

Argentinian Vice President Victoria Villarruel wrote on X before the game: "We play against the usurping pirates.

"I'm not going to be politically correct or cold-hearted; against the English, it's always something more."

Villarruel’s father fought in the Falklands War for Argentina’s military dictatorship.