Argentina players were heard singing a chant referencing the Falkland Islands in their dressing room after their stunning comeback win over Egypt, with their supporters already embracing the prospect of facing England in a World Cup semi-final.
The reigning world champions had trailed Egypt 2-0 heading into the closing stages of their last-16 tie in Atlanta.
A 79th minute goal from Cristian Romero sparked an Argentina fightback, with captain Lionel Messi scoring the equaliser just four minutes later.
Argentina’s comeback was completed in stoppage time, with Enzo Fernandez‘s header securing a dramatic 3-2 victory to set up a quarter-final against Switzerland.
The Argentina squad were then seen celebrating in their dressing room post-match, with their players singing the song ‘Muchachos’, which has become popular among their supporters.
A school teacher Fernando Romero reworked the lyrics to ‘Muchachos, esta noche me emborracho’ – Boys, tonight I’ll get drunk – by the Argentine ska band La Mosca.
Argentina players celebrated their win over Egypt by singing a popular fan chant which references the Falkland Islands
Argentina came from 2-0 down against Egpyt to secure a stunning late victory in Atlanta
A version was sung throughout Argentina’s path to World Cup glory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and has been updated for the 2026 tournament.
The original opened with the lyrics ‘I was born in Argentina, land of Diego and Lionel, and of the Malvinas lads whom I’ll never forget’.
The Malvinas is Argentina’s term for the Falkland Islands, where 649 of their military personnel died in 1982 after attempting to reclaim the territory from the United Kingdom.
The updated version now has the lyrics ‘I am Argentine from cradle to grave, for the Malvinas, for Diego, for Leo’s final chapter’, referencing legends Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.
‘I am a supporter of the national team, I cheer it on with all my heart,’ Argentina’s players chanted in Spanish.
‘We won the third title with Lionel, and we want to be champions once again.
‘And 32 years later, La Scaloneta will avenge the trophy that was taken from the No. 10, the one we were not allowed to lift.
‘I want to see the fourth star shining on the jersey.
‘I am Argentine from cradle to grave, for the Malvinas, for Diego, for Leo’s final chapter.
‘Argentina, I want to see you become back-to-back champions.’
Another chant from Argentina fans claimed England are ‘scared’ of their national team and that they would make them run before knocking them out in the World Cup semi-finals
Argentina fans gathered in Buenos Aires and chanted ‘whoever doesn’t jump is an Englishman’ as they continued their celebrations after reaching the quarter-finals
The footage was shared by the Argentine Football Association on social media, with the caption ‘Study up and learn, this is how La Scaloneta sings’.
England have been targeted in chants by Argentina fans as expectation builds over a possible semi-final showdown.
One chant from fans on social media, claimed England are ‘scared’ of facing Argentina and warned Lionel Scaloni’s side will make the Three Lions ‘run again’ if they meet in the last four.
‘The English are scared because they know this squad has balls,’ fans chanted.
‘At the Azteca they already ran, and in Miami we’re gonna make them run again
‘English, hold on just a little longer, we’re gonna meet soon.’
Argentina fans were also seen gathering at the obelisk of Buenos Aires, located in a city square in their capital city, to celebrate their last-16 victory over Egypt.
Fans were seen jumping and chanting ‘And now you see, and now you see, whoever doesn’t jump is an Englishman’ amid the celebrations.
Argentina face Switzerland in the quarter-finals and could meet England in the last four
England and Argentina will first have to come through quarter-final ties to set up a showdown in the last four.
Thomas Tuchel’s side will meet Norway in the quarter-finals on Saturday, before Argentina take on Switzerland.
England have met Argentina five times at the World Cup, winning the first meeting in 1962 and doing so again in 1966 on route to lifting the trophy.
Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God’ and goal of the century inspired Argentina to victory over England at the 1986 World Cup, with the South Americans going on to win the title.
David Beckham was sent off as England were beaten on penalties at the 1998 World Cup, but gained revenge four years later by scoring from the penalty spot as the Three Lions won 1-0 in the group stage.
England and Argentina have not played since 2005, with England winning 3-2 in a friendly in Switzerland.
