Argentina’s vice president calls England ‘usurping pirates’ as World Cup tensions rise

Victoria Villarruel, the Vice President of Argentina, has stoked tensions ahead of the World Cup clash with England, labelling the English as ‘usurping pirates’ and ‘invaders’.

The countries will reignite a sporting rivalry in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday in Atlanta, with a place in the final against Spain on the line.

Their footballing rivalry stems from World Cup clashes in 1966, the unforgettable ’86 meeting which starred Diego Maradona, the drama of ’98 and the tension of 2002.

However, the nations also have a tense history away from sport, with the issue of the Falkland Islands still strongly felt in Argentina.

The countries went to war in 1982 over Islas Malvinas, a conflict won by Britain and the islands remain a British Overseas Territory.

However, Argentina maintain a claim over the archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean and Villarruel has made no secret of her distaste for the English ahead of the meeting in Atlanta.

‘Tomorrow we play against the usurping pirates,’ the politician wrote on X. ‘This isn’t just another match.

‘I’m not going to be politically correct or cold-hearted; against the English, it’s always something more. It’s the Malvinas, it’s Diego, it’s Leo’s last one, and it’s putting the brakes on the invaders.

‘Go Argentina! Because until our last breath, we’re going to claim what’s ours!’

The Argentina team and management have tried to play down tension of the rivalry ahead of the match, insisting it is just another game of football.

Manager Lionel Scaloni said: ‘The ­message is this is a football game. That is what I can say. We will be playing against a very tough opponent, they have an excellent coach, it is a football game and that is all.’

Midfielder Leandro Paredes acknowledged the importance of the fixture, but sang from the same hymn sheet, saying: ‘We know what the game against England means for our country, but it’s a game of football and we’ll try to address it in the best way.’

England captain Harry Kane told ITV: ‘I think it’s not something you want to focus too much on the surrounding the history, and yeah, that’s all part of it, and that’s what you guys will talk about.

‘But from players’ point of view, it’s us against a great team who are smart, who are tactical, who know how to buy fouls, know how to slow the game down.’

In 2013 a sovereignty referendum was held for the people of the Falkland Islands to vote on whether they wanted to remain a British Overseas Territory.

The response was close to unanimous on remaining as such, with over 99 per cent of the vote to remain a British territory.

Earlier this month, responding to comments from Argentina’s foreign minister Pablo Quirno criticising the referendum, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, said: ‘The UK’s position is clear. The islanders have repeatedly expressed their wish to remain a British overseas territory, and their right to self-determination is paramount.

‘In 2013, the people of the Falkland Islands voted overwhelmingly in favour of remaining a UK overseas territory.’