British warship accused of going into Argentinian waters after World Cup loss

The HMS Medway is based near the Falkland Islands (Picture: Shutterstock)

Political tensions are boiling between Argentina and the UK after last night’s World Cup match.

The South American country,which emerged victorious and wiped out England’s chances of reaching the tournament’s final on Sunday,accused a Royal Navy ship of a ‘military incursion’ into its waters.

The HMS Medway is a patrol vessel normally based in the Falkland Islands,used to patrol and protect fisheries.

Buenos Aires maintains its claim to the Falkland Islands – about 8,000 miles from Britain and 300 miles from mainland Argentina – despite military defeat.

The country’s football team even held up a banner after the match,saying ‘The Falklands are Argentine’.

In an official statement shared on X hours after the match,Argentinian foreign minister Pablo Quirno said the country expressed a ‘strong rejection’ of the ship’s movements.

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Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.Argentine football players unveiled a banner saying the islands belong to them (Picture: AFP)Foreign Minister Quirino wrote in the statement: ‘The Argentine Government firmly rejects this British military incursion into areas under Argentine jurisdiction.‘The Argentine Republic once again reaffirms what it considers its legitimate and inalienable sovereign rights over the Malvinas (Falkland) Islands,South Georgia,South Sandwich Islands,and the surrounding maritime areas.‘By history,by law,and by conviction,the Malvinas are Argentine.’Downing Street has since confirmed the UK notified Argentina’s government of the ship’s movements in advance.A spokeswoman told reporters: ‘The facts here are that we notified the Argentinian government in advance of HMS Medway undertaking a routine logistics visit to Chile between July 5 and 8 to support British Antarctic survey operations,which will deliver essential stores and supplies to sustain scientific research in Antarctica.‘The Royal Navy always operates in full compliance with international law,and the transit from the Falkland Islands to Chile was carried out via the most direct practical route,considering operational safety and weather factors to ensure timely delivery.’Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni had said before last night’s game that he did not want the fixture to become focused on conflict over the territory.But the country’s vice-president,Victoria Villarruel,tweeted a victory message at full-time,saying ‘it wasn’t just another match’ alongside a video of what appeared to be Argentinian soldiers.In the build-up to the fixture,she had described England as ‘invaders’ and ‘usurping pirates’.Tory leader Kemi Badenoch wrote on X: ‘The Falkland Islands are British. The Conservatives will always defend them.’Fifa has also faced calls to investigate the Argentinian team over the banner,with some demanding they be banned from the final.Fights broke out outside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta following the match on Wednesday,with police seen taking at least three people away.The Atlanta Police Department deployed extra resources around the city,with officers lining the streets outside bars near the stadium after the crunch clash.England fans were devastated as their hopes that their team could end 60 years of World Cup hurt were dashed when the defending champions beat them 2-1.Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at .For more stories like this,check our news page.