‘It’s about standing up to the attackers’: Argentina vice-president sparks controversy by calling England ‘pirate usurpers’ ahead of World Cup match

Argentina’s vice-president Victoria Villarruel has sparked controversy ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final against England by invoking the Falkland Islands dispute and describing the Three Lions as “pirate usurpers” in a post on X.“Tomorrow we play against the pirate usurpers. It’s not just another game. I won’t be politically correct or indifferent. It’s always something more against the English. It’s the Falkland Islands (Malvinas), it’s Diego (Maradona), it’s Leo (Messi) last, and until our Argentinians breathe, let them live to their last breath! We’ll keep demanding what’s ours!” she wrote, translated from Latin American Spanish, to X.Villarruel’s comments come as defending champions Argentina prepare to face England in Atlanta (local time) on Wednesday, where progress to the World Cup finals is at stake. The winner will face Spain, who booked their place in the title race with a 2-0 win over France.The competition will mark a milestone for Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who will face England for the first time in his illustrious international career.Despite representing Argentina for over two decades and playing against every other country that has won the FIFA World Cup, Messi has never taken the Three Lions.“The truth is it’s special,” Messi told reporters after Argentina’s 3-1 extra-time win over Switzerland in the quarter-finals.“It’s a special match because it’s my first time. I’ve played against everyone except England. And it’s special, as I said before, because it’s a big team, a powerhouse. It’s always nice to play against teams like this, in games like this, and especially in a World Cup semi-final,” he added.The semi-final also revives one of international football’s most enduring rivalries. England and Argentina have not met in a competitive match since the 2002 FIFA World Cup, when England secured a 1-0 victory.Argentina reached the last four after winning all three of their Group J matches before defeating Cabo Verde, Egypt and Switzerland in the knockout rounds. The defending champions have scored nine goals in their three knockout games, the highest tally among the semi-finalists.Meanwhile, England progressed with a dramatic 2-1 extra-time win over Norway, courtesy of Jude Bellingham. The Three Lions had earlier beaten DR Congo and Mexico by one goal, underscoring the resilience that has seen them reach their fourth World Cup semi-final.For Messi, the clash offers an opportunity to complete a rare missing chapter in his international career, while for Argentina and England, another high-stakes encounter adds to a rivalry shaped by decades of sporting history and political undertones.