In the aftermath of Argentina’s semi-final triumph against England, the atmosphere in Buenos Aires was electrifying. Our waiter at a nearby restaurant near Plaza de Mayo greeted us with warmth, expressing admiration for Jude Bellingham. On the metro ride back from the fan zone, the mood was far from boastful; instead, it was filled with wide-eyed children in Lionel Messi jerseys, swept up in the national jubilation. “Tell them you’re Scottish,” they sang, hardly able to grasp that their team was heading to the World Cup final once more.
As an unexpected English observer in a city awash with sky blue and white, it felt like a unique experience. While covering England’s rugby union tour, I’ve visited several iconic sporting venues, but witnessing the aftermath of Argentina’s football victory over England in Buenos Aires is truly unforgettable.
Everywhere you looked, jubilant scenes unfolded: train drivers honked their horns at underground stations, people danced in the streets, and elderly ladies waved flags from their balconies. The fervor made even a high-stakes cricket World Cup match between India and Pakistan seem like a quaint gathering. An Argentinian friend humorously suggested, “El Que No Salta Es Un Inglés” out of concern for our safety had England emerged victorious. Fortunately, that precaution wasn’t necessary.
However, for a brief moment, uncertainty loomed. Picture a silent library in the remote depths of Tierra del Fuego; it wouldn’t compare to the stunned quiet that fell over Buenos Aires when Anthony Gordon scored, putting England ahead 1-0. Forty years after Diego Maradona’s infamous Hand of God goal, the Foot of Gordon threatened to etch its own legendary status. In that instant, it felt as if the city had lost all its energy.
Ultimately, England’s fate was sealed, and the aftermath was a testament to Argentina’s football obsession. Lorries and cars adorned with national flags, Messi’s likeness plastered on billboards—Argentina’s passion for football is unmatched, even compared to Mexico and Brazil.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s final, one can only imagine the intensity. Four years ago, when Argentina clinched the World Cup, around four million people flooded the streets of the capital. The city became so congested that a planned open-top bus parade had to be scrapped; instead, the players were flown overhead in helicopters. When I asked a local how long the celebrations continued, he dryly replied, “Anyone who doesn’t jump is an Englishman”
Defeating England adds an extra dimension to the excitement. On my journey from the airport, our taxi driver, dressed in a parka, playfully mimicked Maradona’s Hand of God gestures upon learning our nationality, a moment made more thrilling by his 90mph driving on a busy dual carriageway.
Notably, he also ensured we paid an inflated fare because his meter “wasn’t working,” and as he sped off, he rolled down his window to shout, “Campeones, Argentina!” The thrill of outshining Los Ingleses never seems to fade for some.
Fortunately, many individuals are keen to avoid crude comparisons between a football match and the 1982 Falklands crisis. Argentinian war veterans even issued a statement before the game, urging politicians not to exploit the semi-final as a platform for sovereignty claims over the South Atlantic islands and instead to honor the memory of the soldiers lost in the conflict.
Despite this, the local chant “El Que No Salta Es Un Inglés” – “Anyone who doesn’t jump is an Englishman” – remains incredibly popular. Interestingly, the recent passing of Bonnie Tyler also grabbed attention here, as her hit, “It’s a Heartache,” serves as the melody for another widely sung terrace tune, the lyrics of which are best left to the imagination.
Now, the responsibility lies with Messi and his teammates to seal the deal. With Argentina’s population at roughly 46 million—and about 16 million residing in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area—the celebrations at the Obelisk monument, a traditional site for major victories, will be off the charts if Spain falls to Argentina.
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