• Slogan proclaims ‘Malvinas are Argentinian’ before kick-off • Argentina go on to beat Slovenia 2-0 at La Plata stadium

This article is more than 6 years old

This article is more than 6 years old

Argentina’s players inflamed their country’s rivalry with England by unfurling a banner claiming sovereignty of the Falkland Islands before beating Slovenia 2-0 in a friendly international at La Plata, north of Buenos Aires.

The banner declared ‘Las Malvinas son Argentinas’ (the Malvinas are Argentinian). It is often put on show before Argentina’s games but the proximity to the World Cup brought new attention. The Falklands have been ruled by Britain since 1833.

In the match, goals from Ricardo Álvarez and the captain Lionel Messi ensured a winning send-off for the home side.