Argentina’s players risk controversy by lending open support to the Falkland Islands protests
Argentina’s players have reignited their rivalry with England ahead of the World Cup by posing with a banner that said “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” (“The Falklands are Argentinian”) before kick-off at a World Cup warm-up fixture in Buenos Aries.
The banner is regularly put on show before Argentina's games. But the proximity to the World Cup brought new attention.
The team displayed a message to support an on-going campaign to claim sovereignty of the islands, a British Overseas Territory. Argentina then beat Slovenia 2-0 with goals from Ricardo Alvarez and substitute Lionel Messi.
Coach Alejandro Sabella chose not to risk Messi, Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero, Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain or Real Madrid’s Angel Di Maria from the start of their final friendly before the finals in Brazil.
Argentina took the lead in the 11th minute when Inter Milan midfielder Alvarez scored with a powerful run and shot.
Sabella made changes in the second half and Di Maria and Aguero combined for Messi to add the second as he converted Aguero’s headed pass with a left-foot finish with 15 minutes to go. “We have a great group and team,” said Messi. “A World Cup is very tough and we will have to fight a lot for it.
“We arrive with the right age, with most of us playing in the best leagues of Europe for years. Winning it is our target, but it will be very hard.”
They start their Group F campaign against Bosnia-Herzegovina on 15 June. Argentina also face Iran and Nigeria in their qualifying group.