Alexandro Bernabei's stunning Celtic strike has found itself as the unlikely catalyst for a bizarre row over the Falklands between an Argentine government official and a British diplomat.
The 22-year-old replaced Greg Taylor against Ross County in Dingwall and ultimately sealed the win with a stunner from distance. The Parkhead side led through Jota's penalty but it was a moment of magic from Argentine youth cap Bernabei that made sure of the points, coming in from the left hand side to hammer one into the top corner at Ross Laidlaw's near post.
It was his first goal for the club and the first time an Argentine player had ever scored for Celtic. The news created headlines in South America with Bernabei, who signed in a £3.75 million move from Lanus last year, being widely praised. And he was hailed by Argentinian government minister Guillermo Carmona, who is the Secretary of Malvinas Affairs in the Argentine Foreign Ministry.
Carmona went onto social media to praise Bernabei's goal and was particularly impressed Celtic fans chanted 'Argentina' after the goal. He stated: "What an emotion I feel to hear 'Argentina, Argentina' in Scotland chanted by fans. Our compatriot Alexandro Bernabei, a Celtic player, made it possible with a magnificent goal. And what else to say it on an occasion like this except the Falkland Islands are Argentine."
In 1982, Argentina invaded and occupied the Falkland Islands - Islas Malvinas in Spanish - and the UK launched a naval task force that eventually secured victory after 74 days. Last month though, Argentina pulled out of a deal with the UK about the Falklands' sovereignty and demanded new talks as tensions escalated.
And Carmona's comments drew an outraged response from Mark Kent, who was the UK ambassador to Argentina until last year. He warned him: "Don't mix sport with politics. In the UK and in Scotland we love the Argentine players and we show our appreciation. We honour Falklands veterans on both sides. You are a shameless populist politician."
But that prompted a furious reply from the Argentinian government official, who responded: "When your country respects international law, sits at the negotiating table to comply with UN resolutions and ends the shame of colonialism, I may even consider your sports advice. If you think that I am a 'populist politician' for linking football with the Malvinas, know this - the absolute majority of Argentines do that."
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