Joseph Dinnage argues that England’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina offers a chance to remember Britain’s victory in the Falklands War, whatever the result.
The build-up to the match has brought contrasting comments from former England players Gary Lineker and Paul Merson. Lineker referred to the islands as both the Falklands and Malvinas while discussing the countries’ past conflict on his podcast, drawing criticism on social media over his use of the Spanish name.
Merson, speaking on Sky Sports, recounted asking his son’s friend to change out of an Argentina shirt. The boy returned wearing a Spain shirt. For Dinnage, the exchanges show how a football rivalry can prompt arguments about national pride and how Britain remembers its past.
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