rediff.com
News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Sports » PHOTOS: Argentine fans invade Rio de Janeiro in World Cup dream
This article was first published 10 years ago

PHOTOS: Argentine fans invade Rio de Janeiro in World Cup dream

June 16, 2014 13:30 IST

Image: An Argentina fan blows a kiss
Photographs: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

Argentina fans have flooded Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach, camping out, downing drinks and firing up barbecues as they dream of World Cup glory in their rivals' turf.

Some 30 motor-homes line the famed Atlantica Avenue with Argentine license plates showing they drove a long way to see their heroes Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Angel di Maria. 

The rivalry between the two South American nations reaches fever pitch when it comes to football. 

Argentines say Diego Maradona is the greatest of all time, Brazilians have Pele. This time, it's Messi versus Neymar.

Catch the complete coverage of the football World Cup 

- ...

Tags:

PHOTOS: Argentine fans invade Rio de Janeiro in World Cup dream

Image: Fans arrive for the Group F match between Argentina and Bosnia-Herzegovina at Maracana
Photographs: Alexandre Loureiro/Getty Images

The contest could very well be settled with a potential clash of the titans at the July 13 final at the Maracana on July 13, a dream scenario for many fans. 

Christian Roman, 36, drove nearly 2,700 kilometers (1,700 miles) from Buenos Aires in his 62-year-old father Ruben's black and yellow taxi cab.

"It took us three days to travel and we spent last night in tents (Saturday) on the beach," he said near the Copacabana Palace hotel where one night costs $1,350 (1,000 euros) during the World Cup. 

Roman and fellow Argentines prepared an Argentine "asado" barbecue between two cars with the renowned beef of their homeland.

- ...

Tags:

PHOTOS: Argentine fans invade Rio de Janeiro in World Cup dream

Image: An Argentina fan enjoys the atmosphere
Photographs: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Even beef, it seems, is a matter of competition.

"The meat here is no good. They don't cut it well," he said as the group drank a cola-based Argentine cocktail, though he hailed the "wonderful welcome" Brazilians have given them. 

The makeshift Copacabana colony was bedecked in Argentina's white-and-blue-striped flag, competing with Brazil's yellow and green banners. Fans walked around in the Argentine team jersey.  

One car, of course, flew a flag with the image of Maradona.

...

Tags:

PHOTOS: Argentine fans invade Rio de Janeiro in World Cup dream

Image: Argentine soccer fans cheer as they watch their team play against Bosnia and Herzegovina on a giant screen
Photographs: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

This Argentine invasion doesn't bother me as long as they don't repeat the mess they made Saturday," said Antonio Bordallo, a 34-year-old Rio designer. 

That day, police used pepper spray to disperse throngs of Argentine fans who had blocked the avenue that lines the beach.

"The only advantage of having Argentines here is that I will be able to see their faces when they lose," Bordallo said. 

Argentina's World Cup campaign started off well, however, with Lionel Messi scoring in a 2-1 victory over Bosnia at Rio's historic Maracana stadium before an ebullient Argentine crowd.

Tags: