Argentina’s squad couldn’t resist poking fun at England following the side’s World Cup semi-final victory over the Three Lions, even staging a ‘minute’s silence’ for Thomas Tuchel’s men in the dressing room.
England had looked on course to reach only a second World Cup final in the nation’s history after Anthony Gordon directed home Morgan Rogers’ cross to open the scoring in the 55th minute.
But England dropped progressively deeper as Argentina pushed for an equaliser, while sending on Ezri Konsa, Dan Burn and Nico O’Reilly in an attempt to shut out the defending champions.
Tuchel’s cautious and defensive tactics were duly punished, though, as Enzo Fernandez hammered in an 85th-minute strike, before Lautaro Martinez headed Lionel Messi’s pinpoint cross beyond Jordan Pickford to give the holders the lead at the death.
Lionel Scaloni’s men side held firm for the remaining minutes to come away from Atlanta with a famous 2-1 win, setting up a showdown with Spain in Sunday’s final.
England, meanwhile, will face off against France in the third-place playoff on Saturday.
There were feverous celebrations amongst Argentina’s squad as they soaked up the moment with their adoring supporters, who remained inside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium for some time after the final whistle.
At one point in the proceedings, Argentina’s jubilant players were pictured holding aloft a banner emblazoned with the words, ‘Las Malvinas son Argentinas’, translating as, ‘The Falklands are Argentine’ – an act which could face punishment from FIFA.
Later on in the dressing room, Nicolas Otamendi was filmed leading a ‘minute’s silence’ for their old rivals, whose wait for the world title goes on – 60 years on from the side’s triumph in 1966.
‘A minute of silence for England, who is dead,’ the Scaloneta can be heard singing in a 25-second clip which has spread like wildfire across social media.
The video then shows the squad breaking into celebration, while chanting: ‘Argentina and a special dedication to England!’
More to follow.