Argentina President Promises Public Holiday Despite World Cup Final Loss and Controversy

Argentina’s president has promised his country a public holiday for the “achievements” of the national football team, despite their loss in the World Cup final following a campaign overshadowed by controversy.

Spain secured their 1-0 victory on Sunday with a goal in extra time, ending Argentina’s hopes of becoming back-to-back champions and claiming a fourth title.

Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez was sent off in the final minutes to wrap up yet another game marred by rough tackles on opposition players.

The former champions left in disgrace after the final whistle, as Argentine defender Nahuel Molina appeared to swing for Spanish captain Rodri, before Leandro Paredes jabbed Eric Garcia in the throat and spun Gavi to the ground.

Argentine president Javier Milei was quick to celebrate the squad’s accomplishments regardless, writing on social media that the players and staff would be allowed to fix a date for a public holiday.

“Given the concern about the celebrations for the achievement reached by the Argentine National Team, I inform the population that, depending on what the Players and the Technical Staff decide regarding the day to celebrate, it will be declared a national holiday,” he wrote.

Milei had earlier put out a message thanking the players for their efforts and writing: “Until the end with our boots on. Argentina always at the top.”

The team were overwhelmed by Spain in the final, managing zero shots on target in the 90 minutes, with 32 per cent possession.

A YouGov poll found 66 per cent of Britons were backing Spain in the final, versus just seven per cent for Argentina, after la Albiceleste knocked England out in the semi-final on Wednesday.

Prime minister Keir Starmer was said to be considering an extra bank holiday if England won the tournament, before bowing out in a 2-1 defeat.

The Argentina team could yet face disciplinary action from FIFA for waving a banner in support of their country’s territorial claim to the Falkland Islands while celebrating their win over England.

The issue prompted the White House to intervene on Argentina’s behalf, insisting that the team had the right to “make those statements” in the US.

“We believe in our First Amendment rights here in the United States of America,” Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House FIFA task force, told reporters.

The UK government said “the World Cup might not be ours, but the Falkland Islands definitely are” in response to the banner.

Speaking after England’s defeat in Atlanta, Downing Street said Sir Keir Starmer wished both sides “well for the final, especially Spain”.

Several Argentines on Sunday said the semi-final victory against England had left them satisfied enough with the team.

That match carried heavy symbolism for Argentines, framed by the history of England's win at the ​1966 World Cup, Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" goal in 1986 and the memory of the 1982 war over the Falkland Islands, known in Argentina as the Islas Malvinas.

"Of course, it's a very bitter sensation but we still beat the British, Messi had been missing that," said Ornella Godoy, a 24-year-old who works in publicity, on her way back from watching the final with friends outside a bar.