The UK government has asserted that the Falkland Islands "definitely" belong to Britain, following an incident where Argentinian football players celebrated their World Cup semi-final victory by displaying a banner supporting Argentina's territorial claim.

England's World Cup dreams were ended by a 2-1 defeat to Argentina in Atlanta. In their celebrations, some Argentinian players held a banner that read "Las Malvinas son Argentinas," translating to "The Falklands are Argentine." This has prompted a strong response from the UK government.

The Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory located in the south-west Atlantic Ocean, remain the subject of a long-standing sovereignty dispute between the United Kingdom and Argentina. The two nations engaged in a brief but intense war over the territory in 1982, which resulted in significant casualties on both sides.

A spokesperson for the Prime Minister's office reiterated the UK's unwavering position, stating that self-determination rests with the islanders and the commitment to the Falklands will never waver. The matter of potential disciplinary action against the players was described as a decision for FIFA, the international football governing body.

This incident echoes previous tensions over the Falklands' sovereignty. In 2013, the residents of the Falkland Islands overwhelmingly voted in a referendum to remain a British overseas territory, with a turnout exceeding 90%. Of the 1,517 votes cast, 1,513 were in favour of remaining British.

During a session in the House of Commons, Liberal Democrat MP Al Pinkerton condemned the "disgraceful scenes," arguing that football was being used to challenge the democratic rights of the Falkland Islanders. Responding for the government, Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty expressed regret that the focus had shifted from the sport. He affirmed, "We have absolutely no doubt about our sovereignty over the Falkland Islands and the surrounding maritime areas."

Doughty further emphasized the islands' British status, stating, "The Falkland Islands are British, they remain British and they will continue to be British and Falkland Islanders want to be British and they have explained that many, many times." He urged a return to focusing on the football itself.

The match saw England take an early lead through Anthony Gordon, but Argentina secured their place in the final with two late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez. This latest encounter adds to the intense World Cup rivalry between England and Argentina, a history notably marked by Diego Maradona's controversial "Hand of God" goal in their 1986 quarter-final match.