Sports Reports

Cheered for Argentina.. Spain's World Cup Victory Dashes Hopes of Netanyahu and His Allies (News Report)

Netanyahu and ministers, including Smotrich and Ben Gvir, cheered for the Argentine team, whose President Javier Milei strongly supports Israel.

Abdel Ra'ouf D. A. R. Arnaout

20 July 2026 • Updated: 20 July 2026

KUDÜS

Jerusalem / Anadolu

Netanyahu and ministers, including Smotrich and Ben Gvir, cheered for the Argentine team, whose President Javier Milei strongly supports Israel.

The Likud party commented with a silent face emoji on the Spanish team's victory.

A far-right settler posted a picture of himself burning the Spanish flag.

The official broadcasting authority on the match: 'The most political final in history: Argentina vs. Spain, or Israel vs. Palestinians?'

Spain's victory in the FIFA World Cup final dashed the hopes of Israeli officials and politicians who had declared their support for the Argentine team, a stance with political dimensions linked to Madrid's pro-Palestinian positions.

On Sunday evening, the Spanish team was crowned champion for the second time in its history, after defeating its Argentine counterpart 1-0 after extra time.

Before the match, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and right-wing ministers and politicians expressed their hope for an Argentine victory.

Netanyahu is wanted to appear before the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity during Israel's genocidal war in the Gaza Strip, which began in 2023.

But after Spain's triumph, messages of support for Argentina in Israel turned into brief comments and silent face emojis reflecting widespread disappointment.

The official Israeli broadcasting authority said about the match: 'The most political final in history: Argentina vs. Spain, or Israel vs. Palestinians?'

Argentina, under President Javier Milei, maintains close ties with the right-wing Israeli government.

Meanwhile, Israel's relations with Spain are marred by disagreements due to Madrid's criticism of Israel's genocidal war in Gaza and settler violence in the occupied West Bank, as well as its recognition of a Palestinian state.

** Support for Argentina

Immediately after the final match, the Likud party, led by Netanyahu, wrote on its Telegram account: 'Spain wins the World Cup final,' and accompanied the phrase with a silent face emoji.

Netanyahu's office said in a statement on Saturday evening that the prime minister received Argentina's ambassador to Israel, Shimon Axel Wanish, and wished the Argentine team good luck in the final match.

It added that Wanish conveyed to Netanyahu a voice message from President Milei saying: 'You are my friend, and you always support us. I was glad to hear that you are cheering for Argentina for my sake.'

Netanyahu replied: 'Javier, you are a true and great friend. We support you and Argentina in every way, including tomorrow (in the final match). Good luck.'

Before the match, former Israeli Defense Minister and leader of the opposition right-wing party Yisrael Beiteinu, Avigdor Lieberman, wrote on the American platform X: 'Come on Argentina.'

Minister Amichai Shikli posted a video clip in which he wished victory for the Argentine team.

Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said: 'Every patriotic Israeli cheers for Argentina, and we love Argentina.'

Smotrich's statement came during a meeting with the Argentine ambassador, who gave him a team jersey and a ball bearing the World Cup logo.

** Burning the Spanish Flag

Israel's UN envoy Danny Danon also said on X: 'You already know which side I'm on today, let's go Argentina.'

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar posted a video clip in which he wished victory for the Argentine team.

Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir wrote: 'Yes, Messi! Come on Argentina!'

As for far-right Israeli settler Baruch Marzel, he posted a picture of himself burning the Spanish flag, accompanied by a phrase wishing Argentina victory.

After Spain's triumph, Arab Knesset member Ayman Odeh responded to Ben Gvir's post with a sarcastic image.

** Israeli Disappointment

After Spain's triumph, Israeli journalist Daniel Amram posted a video clip showing Israelis leaving a public viewing area with frowns.

He said that 'hundreds left the place in disappointment after watching the match together at Ramat Gan National Park, following Spain's victory over Argentina in the final.'

Ferran Torres scored the winning goal in the 106th minute with a shot from inside the penalty area after a header from teammate Nico Williams.

The United States, Canada, and Mexico hosted the 23rd edition of the tournament between June 11 and July 19, with 48 teams participating for the first time.

In contrast, official and popular Palestinian celebrations prevailed over Spain's triumph, and Palestinians linked this sporting achievement to Madrid's supportive positions for their cause.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas sent, on Monday, two congratulatory messages to King Felipe VI of Spain and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on the occasion of their country's team winning the most prestigious title in international football.

Palestinian cities, including Bethlehem, Hebron, and Nablus, witnessed celebrations in which hundreds of Palestinians participated, parading through the streets carrying Palestinian and Spanish flags in appreciation of Madrid's positions.

Spain shows, at both official and popular levels, strong support for the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights, especially their right to establish an independent state as stipulated by relevant UN resolutions.

In 1948, Israel was established on lands seized by armed Zionist gangs that committed massacres and caused the displacement of at least 750,000 Palestinians. Then Israel occupied the rest of the Palestinian territories and refuses to withdraw from them and to establish the Palestinian state stipulated in UN resolutions.